2017 NBA Manifesto
Amir Johnson
PF, 6’9, 240lbs, 30 years old, 12 years of experience
A long since underrated starting power forward or third-big-in-a-three-big-man-rotation type who, unfortunately, is not that any more. Johnson's mobility is going, and so is his effectiveness; no longer with the mobility to defend his position nor attack the glass like he could, let alone run like his younger self, Johnson now exists as a reliable, unremarkable, solid, intelligent post player with the occasional ability to stretch the floor on the world’s slowest release, without the explosion and dynamicism of his youth. He just played 1,608 regular season minutes, but it would be a surprise to see him crack 1,200 again. As a free agent this summer, Johnson has an enormous cap hold that might be required elsewhere, so he could well be departing, unless he were to re-sign for the room MLE. That would be a bargain, but even then, finding a more athletic alter-native may be more valuable.
Player Plan: Expiring $12 million contract. If the cap space ambitions are to be re-alised, Johnson will need to be renounced, but if he will take the cap room MLE after-wards, that would be a good payment for his services. May get more elsewhere, though, even when considering his declining game (which should limit any deal to a maximum of two years).
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PF, 6’9, 240lbs, 30 years old, 12 years of experience
A long since underrated starting power forward or third-big-in-a-three-big-man-rotation type who, unfortunately, is not that any more. Johnson's mobility is going, and so is his effectiveness; no longer with the mobility to defend his position nor attack the glass like he could, let alone run like his younger self, Johnson now exists as a reliable, unremarkable, solid, intelligent post player with the occasional ability to stretch the floor on the world’s slowest release, without the explosion and dynamicism of his youth. He just played 1,608 regular season minutes, but it would be a surprise to see him crack 1,200 again. As a free agent this summer, Johnson has an enormous cap hold that might be required elsewhere, so he could well be departing, unless he were to re-sign for the room MLE. That would be a bargain, but even then, finding a more athletic alter-native may be more valuable.
Player Plan: Expiring $12 million contract. If the cap space ambitions are to be re-alised, Johnson will need to be renounced, but if he will take the cap room MLE after-wards, that would be a good payment for his services. May get more elsewhere, though, even when considering his declining game (which should limit any deal to a maximum of two years).
