Following an MVP campaign in the BIG3 with the Tri-State Triplets, seven-time NBA All-Star Joe Johnson has garnered interest from a handful of NBA teams, including the New Orleans Pelicans.
According to Marc J. Spears of ESPN, the Pelicans have interest in bringing on the 38-year-old combo forward after seeing him play in the BIG3 last week. Johnson last played in the NBA in the 2017-18 season.
Over the course of his 17-year NBA career, Johnson averaged 16 points on 44.1% shooting from the field, including 37.1% from 3-point range on 4.2 attempts per game. In the 2004-05 season, Johnson shot 47.8% from behind the arc — the second-highest percentage in the league at the time —on 4.5 attempts per game.
Johnson has had no problem getting his shot off in the BIG3, where he leads the league in 4-point makes (four) and points per game (21.9). He’s also shooting a respectable 39% from 3, on 41 total attempts.
Outside of shooting, though, it’s hard to imagine where Johnson can contribute on an NBA team, particularly one that plans to play as fast as the Pelicans do. Sure, Johnson would be a good locker room presence for a young team like the Pelicans. But New Orleans might be better off using that roster spot on a younger reclamation project or prospect.
The Pelicans have 13 guaranteed contracts, three partially guaranteed or non-guaranteed contracts and two two-way players. Rosters will be finalized before their season tips off on October 22.
