Houston Rockets keep adding players to their already stacked team. The team’s general manager Daryl Morey announced on Wednesday the acquisition of guard Joe Johnson, who signed a contract until the end of the season. Johnson joins the Rockets after being waived by the Sacramento Kings, where he landed from the Utah Jazz on the last day of the NBA trade deadline.
OFFICIAL: #Rockets GM Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed free agent guard/forward Joe Johnson for the remainder of the season. Johnson will wear #7 for the Rockets.
Details » https://t.co/78V6LBIDNl pic.twitter.com/MknYCi4CLC
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) February 14, 2018
“At this point in my career, obviously I still have something left, but this obviously has been a great team,” – said Johnson. “I understand what I’m up against with playing time or not playing. No gripes or groans with me, man. I’m here to help out. This is the team I wanted from the start. I didn’t even have a conversation with anybody (else).“
Joe Johnson played a minor role with the Utah Jazz this season, averaging 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. The Rockets will surely benefit from his past playoff experience as well as his shooting ability, something that is highly appreciated in Mike D’Antoni’s system.
“He can play different positions, play one through four, guard anybody Just experience, he makes big-time shots at the end of the game,” – said D’Antoni. “Playoff time, he’s got a lot of experience there. Then we’ll see how it all works out. We have to figure it out. It’s up in the air. We’ll see how it goes. Now, we just have to find room and get everybody comfortable and find rotations, which won’t be easy. Some guys are going to get squeezed a little bit. Hopefully, it’s all about the bigger picture and trying to go deep in the playoffs.“
Joe Johnson entered the league through 2001 NBA Draft where he was selected 10th overall by the Boston Celtics. He went on to play for a number of teams including the Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, and Brooklyn Nets. Highlights of Johnson’s basketball career include seven All-Star selections and one All-NBA Third-team honors.
