Is Tyler Johnson earning a permanent spot on the Sixers?

Due to COVID-19 protocols, the Philadelphia 76ers have had to sign veteran combo guard Tyler Johnson to a 10-day Hardship exception contract. On paper, the move made sense and is working out for both parties involved.

The Sixers get a player that fills their need for more point guard depth and Johnson gets a chance to put his name back out there as a two-way player. However, despite playing in two games this season, Johnson is starting to ingrain himself to the team.

Does Johnson deserve a long-term deal with the Sixers?

In two games, Johnson has averaged 4.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 13.5 minutes per game. He’s shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from the 3-point line. Solid production but unimpressive numbers on the surface.

However, he brings some much-needed perimeter defense and there’s proof in the advance numbers. He has a Defensive Box Plus/Minus of plus-0.4, the best score he’s posted since his third season.

It’s not just how he plays that’s important, but it’s what type of teammate he is as well. When Joel Embiid and Montrezl Harrell got into a scuffle when the Sixers played the Washington Wizards he made sure to protect his teammate, check out the clip below.

Johnson was the first 76ers player to try to separate the two and continue to restrain Harrell after the two were separated. That’s the type of player the Sixers should want in their locker room, especially with the Ben Simmons drama still looming.

The problem is that Philly doesn’t have a roster spot sign him full time at the moment. A Simmons trade could open things up, but that shouldn’t be counted on happening soon. The other thing to consider is to trade a guy like Paul Reed for example, as I’ve spoken about before on The Sixer Sense Podcast for draft capital to open up a space.

Johnson seems like the type of guy the Sixers should want in their locker room, but the question becomes will they make space for him?