Philadelphia 76ers will hold workout with Big 3 MVP Joe Johnson

The Philadelphia 76ers will work out former All-Star Joe Johnson.

In somewhat unexpected news, the Philadelphia 76ers aren’t entirely settled on a 15-man roster. According to ESPN’s Marc J. Spears, the Sixers will hold a private workout on Thursday. Among its participants will be Joe Johnson, fresh off his MVP campaign in the burgeoning Big 3.

Iso Joe thrived in the Big 3. One might argue it’s the extra freedom afforded in three-on-three basketball. Others might argue its a rebirth of sorts. More level-headed analysts will point to the obvious reason — talent level.

The Big 3 is littered with former NBA players and misfits who no longer have professional chops. Johnson still has NBA talent, so it’s only natural that his game stood out. He led his team — the Triplets — to the championship game as a result.

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While Johnson does have NBA talent, his fit in Philadelphia is a bit questionable. In the current NBA landscape, he projects best as a small-ball four who can stretch defenses, attack closeouts and operate as an ancillary playmaker.

The Sixers don’t need Johnson. He’d get stashed behind James Ennis and Mike Scott immediately. In all likelihood, Zhaire Smith and Matisse Thybulle would be more deserving of minutes as well. Especially given the important of internal development for Philadelphia moving forward.

At 38 years old, there’s reason to believe Johnson still has something in the tank. I’m just not sure how much is left, and the Sixers don’t have a clear and pressing need for his talents.

Some might argue it’s a trivial debate. He would fill the Sixers’ 15th roster spot, which makes the odds of a franchise-altering impact — either positive or negative — slim. By that logic, there’s not much to worry about.

There’s some truth to that. Johnson represents very minimal risk in a vacuum, especially on a veteran minimum contract. The Sixers will have complete leverage and the ability to cut ties, assuming the two sides end up tying the knot.

But when looking at the roster in a broader scope, Johnson’s arrival signifies another player’s departure. The Sixers currently have 14 guaranteed contracts on the roster, as well as a pair of two-way contracts. The 15th spot is occupied by Trey Burke, who’s on a partially-guaranteed deal.

Burke has real potential to provide value as the Sixers’ go-to reserve behind Ben Simmons. His quick-twitch scoring adds a dynamic Philadelphia has desperately lacked in seasons past. A backup point guard who can generate points, pressure defenses and coexist with Simmons has been hard to come by.

In fact, Burke has more value than several players under guaranteed contracts. There would be a net loss if the Sixers parted with Burke in favor of Johnson. He’s a better player than Iso Joe and fills a more prominent area of need.

The Sixers might then decide to cut a guaranteed contract. Perhaps someone on the minimum. That leaves Kyle O’Quinn, Furkan Korkmaz, James Ennis and Raul Neto on the chopping block. Again, I struggle to see the value in choosing Johnson over the options at hand.

O’Quinn will find valuable minutes as a stopgap in Joel Embiid and Al Horford‘s expected absences. Ennis is the Sixers’ most important reserve. Neto also has a chance to carve out minutes as a useful backup point guard.

In the end, Korkmaz is the only name who should generate some minor debate. He hasn’t shown much in his two-year Philadelphia tenure. He’s billed as a shooter, but has shot below the league average on 3-point attempts. He has been thoroughly underwhelming in every sense.

But even with Korkmaz, there’s some hope of internal development and tangible growth. His mechanics are still smooth. There’s reason to believe his 3-point stroke isn’t a lost cause, and perhaps another summer of international play, workouts and body-building will do him good.

Johnson is a 38-year-old whose last NBA experience was a negative one. There’s just no reason to confidently project his value over anyone currently on the Sixers’ roster. A camp invite, sure. A full-time roster spot over Burke or Korkmaz, no.

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The Sixers will also work out Spencer Hawes. Nope.