Joe Johnson Bought Out (Updated)

[PhoSita]

Johnson seems like the epitome of a guy Stevens wouldn't want.

Low effort, no defense, little ball movement, no leadership. He can shoot and put up the occasional big shot though.

It's not like he doesn't get assists.  He definitely looks for his own offense a bit too much -- bad habits from earlier in his career -- but he'd add some much needed shot-making experience to the bench. 

For the Celts to have any success in the playoffs, they'll need guys who can make things happen in the half-court when the free-flowing offense breaks down.  Joe would give them that.

[sofutomygaha]

I'm betting he finds cleveland, toronta, LA, and Miami all more attractive than Boston, but he would definitely be an asset in the playoffs. Particularly if we suffer any injuries at the 2 and/or 3. He would also give us flexibility to give our main guys rest in March-April without severely undercutting our competitiveness.

I'd feel bad for our already-bored rookie backcourt guys, though, who are probably hoping to get a look in March-April.

[TheSundanceKid]

I'd welcome him here. He has extensive playoff experience and can teach our guys how to adapt to playoff basketball, keep their heads etc..

Interesting though that some are saying this will be huge for the Nets pick. Could well just be different people talking but there seemed to be quite a few who claimed Joe was trash and had no impact on the pick, that he was actually helping the pick. I think he's been good this year and him leaving will affect the pick, but people can't argue it both ways

[Who]

Can JJ actually help anyone anymore?

Which team can he help?

[cltc5]

Can JJ actually help anyone anymore?

Which team can he help?

The celtics

[fairweatherfan]

Can JJ actually help anyone anymore?

Which team can he help?

Maybe the Cavs as an additional spot up shooter and occasional shot creator on the perimeter.  If LeBron can keep Richard Jefferson semi-relevant I think he could get something out of JJ.

[Dino Pitino]

There aren't that many minutes to go around, are there? Bradley, Smart, Crowder, Turner...would Crowder wind up playing a lot of PF?

[bdm860]

Can JJ actually help anyone anymore?

Which team can he help?

This is the question in my mind too.  I don't think he has much to offer.

It's like in '07 when 34 year old Jalen Rose get waived by the Knicks and a lot of teams wanted him.  Went to Phoenix and played in 1 of their 11 playoff games, logging 9 minutes.

Or in '02 when 36 year old Mitch Richmond signed on with the Lakers and played in 2 of their 19 playoff games, playing 4 total minutes.

Or in '05 when 35  year old Steve Smith get traded to the Heat at the deadline.  Appeared in 3 of the Heats 15 playoff games, playing 8 total minutes!

Or in '13 when 33 year old Tracy McGrady signed with the Spurs right before the playoffs.  He actually got in 6 of their 21 games, and played 31 minutes.

It kind of goes back to the Bill Simmons column when the C's first got Ray Allen, about how SG tend to fall off a cliff around age 32.  Sure there's a case for Joe Johnson, guys like Ray Allen, Rasherd Lewis, Peja Stojakovic, Robert Horry were able to be spot up shooters on championship teams and play regularly.  But I just don't see it with Joe Johnson.  I think whoever signs him is going to give him a lot of DNP-CD's come playoff time.  He does not have much left to offer.  People are going more by his name than his game at this point.

[Roy H.]

Johnson seems like the epitome of a guy Stevens wouldn't want.

Low effort, no defense, little ball movement, no leadership. He can shoot and put up the occasional big shot though.

It's not like he doesn't get assists.  He definitely looks for his own offense a bit too much -- bad habits from earlier in his career -- but he'd add some much needed shot-making experience to the bench. 

For the Celts to have any success in the playoffs, they'll need guys who can make things happen in the half-court when the free-flowing offense breaks down.  Joe would give them that.

Some of the biggest ball stoppers in the NBA get assists, too.  His name is "Iso Joe" for a reason.

If you could sign JJ just to play the last 24 seconds of quarters, he'd be worth it.  My guess is that he's going to want more time than that, though.

[fairweatherfan]

Maybe the bigger question is, can anything stop Markel Brown's ascension now? 

[BringToughnessBack]

According to AJC site, Johnson and Hawks might want a reunion.

http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/basketball/hawks-interested-in-signing-johnson-after-buyout/nqXwc/

[Lucky17]

Wow, his numbers since New Year's are really quite good. Great shooting from the field (almost 50%), rebounds and assists at his position.

Might be a PJ Brown type acquisition at the deadline for a playoff team?

[PhoSita]

Johnson seems like the epitome of a guy Stevens wouldn't want.

Low effort, no defense, little ball movement, no leadership. He can shoot and put up the occasional big shot though.

It's not like he doesn't get assists.  He definitely looks for his own offense a bit too much -- bad habits from earlier in his career -- but he'd add some much needed shot-making experience to the bench. 

For the Celts to have any success in the playoffs, they'll need guys who can make things happen in the half-court when the free-flowing offense breaks down.  Joe would give them that.

Some of the biggest ball stoppers in the NBA get assists, too.  His name is "Iso Joe" for a reason.

If you could sign JJ just to play the last 24 seconds of quarters, he'd be worth it.  My guess is that he's going to want more time than that, though.

I hear you.  Adding a guy who can hit outside shots and create for himself in the halfcourt would unquestionably help the Celts' bench, though.  Joe might buy in on defense if he's playing for a playoff squad again.

Atlanta makes sense for him, though.  Cleveland needs wings, and Miami could be attractive for him as well.

[PhoSita]

I'd feel bad for our already-bored rookie backcourt guys, though, who are probably hoping to get a look in March-April.

I've all but given up on seeing any of these guys play more than a few garbage minutes here and there until Danny makes some moves to clear up the roster (or perhaps they'll just get shipped out as filler in said trades).

I think we drafted these guys without any real intention of developing them beyond giving them practice reps and sending them to Maine to get reps and keep fit.  Danny never wanted to actually use those picks.

[guava_wrench]

Johnson seems like the epitome of a guy Stevens wouldn't want.

Low effort, no defense, little ball movement, no leadership. He can shoot and put up the occasional big shot though.

It's not like he doesn't get assists.  He definitely looks for his own offense a bit too much -- bad habits from earlier in his career -- but he'd add some much needed shot-making experience to the bench. 

For the Celts to have any success in the playoffs, they'll need guys who can make things happen in the half-court when the free-flowing offense breaks down.  Joe would give them that.

Some of the biggest ball stoppers in the NBA get assists, too.  His name is "Iso Joe" for a reason.

If you could sign JJ just to play the last 24 seconds of quarters, he'd be worth it.  My guess is that he's going to want more time than that, though.

I hear you.  Adding a guy who can hit outside shots and create for himself in the halfcourt would unquestionably help the Celts' bench, though.  Joe might buy in on defense if he's playing for a playoff squad again.

Atlanta makes sense for him, though.  Cleveland needs wings, and Miami could be attractive for him as well.

No, it might not help the bench if he gets minutes every game. Adding him to a team where everyone shares the ball can lead to a lot of frustration. If we aren't bringing him in to close out games, what is the point? He isn't going to play catch and shoot, and his method for creating for himself involves 4 teammates watching.

Look at how IT creates for himself. IT attacks immediately, disrupting the defense. JJ lets the defense load up on him as he dribbles for 3 seconds trying to create separation. I don't see why we would need JJ for final shots when IT is a better person to run the offense in such situations. JJ would have more value as another person who can catch and shoot after IT initiates a play.

I agree 100% that JJ is a good addition if he is fine taking whatever minutes and role he is given. He isn't worth 20m, but he is still a skilled player worth a minimum contract and does add depth. On the other hand, we only have 1 open roster spot and other guys could get bought out -- or Danny could do his normal young guy pickup with a non-guaranteed contract for next season.