This is a guest post from William Konken.
It’s the summer of 2019. Free agency is in motion. Raptor fans are eager to hear Kawhi Leonard’s decision. He picks the LA Clippers. Now what? How could the Raptors possibly replace Leonard? How about Stanley Johnson? Sure…why not?
When Leonard left, I convinced myself for days that Johnson would help fill the hole left by Leonard. At 6’7 and 245lbs, Johnson had a frame like Leonard and played the same position as him. It was obvious that OG Anunoby would slide into Leonard’s spot at forward, but there were still some reserve minutes available…which were soon claimed by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
What followed for Johnson was basically a redshirt year learning the offensive and defensive schemes and absorbing the Raptors’ overall culture. He sat at the end of the bench cheering and only getting garbage time minutes, with a few exceptions. My optimism for him flipped to disappointment. He’s felt like an afterthought this offseason.
Johnson recently picked up his player option, so he’s back for a second year. Is there hope for him to carve a roll? Probably not, but it is fun to dream. So, let us dream!
Johnson’s potential versatility has always been there. The issue is that Detroit never instilled solid team fundamentals in him, and he was handed minutes without having to work for them. Nick Nurse disciplined him for these lapses and Johnson never gained his trust. These bad habits are probably still prevalent in Johnson. If he were able to somewhat break them, his added versatility could be of use.
If Johnson somehow earned a role, I believe it would be as a small-ball centre in spot minutes. He could come in when the Raptors want to match or disrupt opponents with a smaller lineup. Johnson could bring more offensive and defensive versatility to a front-court trio consisting of himself, Anunoby, and Pascal Siakam. Hollis-Jefferson played a similar role at times last year, where it was hard to tell who was the SF, PF or C.
Offensively, Nick Nurse could place Johnson on the perimeter to keep the inside open for driving lanes. He would be available for spot-up shots, one or two dribble pull-ups or to attack the paint and rim. Johnson’s decision making is fair in these situations if it’s simple reads – dump-off pass to a cutter or kick-out to a shooter.
The downside to Johnson is his unreliable 3-point shooting. The highest percentage he has ever shot was just over 30%. If this role was to work, Johnson would need to somehow hit one or two threes during his minutes. His shot mechanics are there – straight alignment, cocked elbow, steady flow from catch to release – there is no reason he should not be a passable shooter. Being somewhat of a threat from deep would pull the defense out, create space for teammates, and allow him to drive off close-outs. Similar to OG, his attack game isn’t nearly as effective if the defense doesn’t have to scramble out to him and can just sit back and wait.
Defensively, Johnson would fit well as a small-ball centre. He has the strength to hold his own against bigs, especially if it’s only for spot minutes. Johnson has had success in the past using his body as leverage to push the offensive player off their spot or rhythm. Specific sightings of this were two years ago against Kawhi Leonard early in the season, and LeBron James in the 2016 playoffs.
Johnson would be productive defensively in short stints because he is quick enough to contain guards. He’d allow the Raptors to be aggressive on switches, pressuring the defense to make mistakes and turnovers. At times he has looked a bit sluggish and discombobulated in a bigger role, but if he’s only playing spot minutes, he could just focus on being energetic and assertive.
With the signings of Aron Baynes and Alex Len, as well as Chris Boucher coming back, the chances of Johnson getting any minutes are low. His time this season will probably be like the previous – cheering from the bench, only coming in for garbage minutes. Maybe Johnson will surprise us and squeeze into the rotation as a versatile utility piece. There’s a reason they signed him two years ago, and we can always dream.
This is a guest post from William Konken.
