Free-agent forward Amir Johnson has signed a 2-year, $24 million dollar deal with the Celtics, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
Amir Johnson agrees to 2-year, $24 million deal with Celtics
The forward will add athleticism and defense to Boston’s frontline.
HOW
Johnson's five-year deal with the Raptors expired this summer, allowing him to hit unrestricted free agency for the first time. The final player to be drafted out of high school before the league's age-limits were instituted, he's already a 10-year veteran even though he's just 28 years old.
LAST YEAR/CAREER
The past few years have seen Johnson establish himself as an efficient if limited power forward. For all the great things he can do, including score around the basket, rebound and play solid defense, he's never topped 29 minutes per game in any season. Durability has always been an issue for Johnson, and it's a big part of what's held him back from even greater heights.
Johnson is still an impressive player, however, coming off a season where he averaged nine points and six rebounds per game for one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. The forward has shot 57 percent from the floor during his career, which is something any team can use.
ON THE CELTICS
Boston has a few nice pieces under contract up front, including Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk. But neither is a top athlete. Johnson, though he’s getting a bit older, will add some transition punch to Brad Stevens’ pace and space system. Signing Johnson may mean Brandon Bass, a free agent, will end up elsewhere.
Boston’s unlikely to be done in free agency: The Celtics have a glut of combo guards and have been mentioned often in the rumor mill. This may eliminate the C’s from the Tobias Harris sweepstakes, though.
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