Joe Johnson is officially back in the NBA, and the newest member of the Detroit Pistons. As first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic, Johnson inked a one-year, partially guaranteed deal with the Pistons Thursday afternoon.
Joe Johnson Inks One-Year Deal with Detroit Pistons
“Iso Joe” Johnson is back in the NBA after a one-year hiatus. He most recently served as a captain for the Triplets of the BIG3 League. He won a championship and an MVP award during his time with the team. When he was last seen in the NBA, he averaged six points and three rebounds for the Houston Rockets during the 2017-18 campaign.
Joe Johnson, a seven-time All-Star, is the first player to land an NBA deal out of Ice Cube’s BIG3 league. Johnson is a reigning BIG3 championship and MVP award-winner. https://t.co/ZVvwUzDjI9
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 12, 2019
Johnson is a 17-year NBA veteran with seven All-Star appearances under his belt. He made the All-NBA team at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season. In his 17 seasons, he spent time with the Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat, Utah Jazz, and finally his 23-game stint with the Rockets. In his prime, he was a 20+ point scorer that could electrify any offense. He will now serve as a veteran leader.
The Little Rock, Arkansas native adds experience and leadership to a team that has been on the fringe of the playoffs for several years now. The addition of Johnson as well as former NBA MVP Derrick Rose makes the Pistons an intriguing team heading into a 2019-20 season with no lack of wild storylines.
Johnson’s abilities as an isolation scorer make him a valuable addition in the modern NBA. Though he may not see much playing time for an ever-improving Pistons team, he is a welcomed sight in the league.
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