NBA: 7 best under-the-radar free agent signings of 2019
By Kyle Crabbe
Stanley Johnson, Toronto Raptors
Position: SF
Age: 23
With the loss of NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard (to the Clippers via free agency), the signing of Stanley Johnson for the Toronto Raptors becomes a great pick up. Johnson has struggled to reach his potential in his short four-year NBA career, but a change of scenery could be just what he needs. At only 23 this presents a great opportunity for both Johnson and the Raptors.
The Raptors’ coaching staff and the organization has shown a great history as of late of developing young players and maximizing the talents of NBA players, so this is an excellent chance for Johnson to flourish in a role with Toronto this coming season.
Coming out of high school, Johnson was one of the most highly touted prospects as he was named Mr. Basketball in the state of California in 2014, was a McDonald’s All-American and won the Julius Erving Award in 2015 (as the Nation’s best small forward) during his freshman season at the University of Arizona.
If he genuinely flourishes with the Raptors, there’s a good chance that Johnson could be on the shortlist to win the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2020. Of course, this is not to say that Johnson will help Raptors fans forget about Kawhi, but he could help be the stopgap that the team needs to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference.