The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers: Making the case for/against re-signing each free agent

By Stuart London

J.J. Redick, Mike Scott | Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
J.J. Redick, Mike Scott | Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 11
Next
(Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Amir Johnson

The wear and tear of 13 physical years in the NBA caught up to Johnson in a single offseason. The decision of last summer’s Sixers management crew to gamble that Johnson could be an acceptable backup to Embiid blew up in their face, big time. One can argue that single move was so boneheaded the Sixers would have been in the NBA Finals if they decided to move on and got someone … not horrible.

Johnson, when not texting on the bench during a playoff game, is a really good teammate, a great locker-room presence and commensurate professional. He just cannot be part of a roster for a team with championship aspirations anymore.

Do the Sixers want him?

As a player developmental coach — sure. As a player? Only as 15th guy, emergency-type. In no way should he be part of the regular rotation.

Would other NBA teams have any interest and how much would Sixers pay to keep him?

Johnson took the veterans minimum salary to stay with the Sixers last season. If another team offers that, he will surely grab it.

Final Answer: Amir is a really good guy. My uncle is also a really good guy and he can’t play in the NBA either. If some young team like Phoenix or Atlanta (who have ex-Sixers assistants as head coaches) want him to mentor, go for it. His time in Philly is over.