Golden State Warriors: 2 buyout candidates that could spark the team

Stanley Johnson

Stanley Johnson has sneakily emerged as a quality role player over the last two seasons. That’s what made it so surprising when the Spurs waived him following the trade deadline. Many people expected Johnson to return to the Lakers after he left SAS, but that move is not possible due to a little-known NBA rule that prohibits a player from signing with a team that traded him within the previous year (unless he’s traded again, which Johnson wasn’t).

Johnson being unable to head to the Lakers has shrouded his buyout market in some mystery (I guess technically he’s not a “buyout” player since he was waived, but for the sake of this argument we are including him). Many people have been focusing on the bigger names such as the likes of the previously mentioned Russell Westbrook, John Wall, and Kevin Love, but I believe Johnson can be a solid role player for a contender.

Johnson averaged 5.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game in 30 games (15.6 minutes per) for the Spurs this season. This comes after his semi-breakthrough season last year with the Lakers as he emerged as one of their better players (not named LeBron) down the stretch. In Los Angeles last year, Johnson averaged 6.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game on 46.6% shooting from the field.

Johnson is a solid defender who brings some positional flexibility at the 3 and the 4. One of his biggest assets this season though has been his emerging 3-point shot. After shooting an even 30% over the first six years of his career, he is shooting 45% from deep this year (albeit in a small sample size). Johnson is shooting 34% (96 for 282) from deep over the past 2.5 seasons.

He would bring needed depth to the forward positions behind Wiggins and Draymond Green. Johnson would be competing with Jonathan Kuminga and Anthony Lamb for those backup minutes at the 3 and the 4. Depth at power forward is also that much more important when the Warriors play small with Draymond Green at center.

Neither Beverley nor Johnson are sexy signings who would likely play 25 minutes a night, consistently score in double-digits, or be inserted into the starting lineup. However, they are both guys who can play ~15 minutes a night, provide depth, and can both play some defense. Therefore, that’s why I think Beverley and Johnson make the most sense for the Warriors to go after.

In terms of who they should sign between the two, it might just come down to whether the Warriors feel they have a bigger depth need in the frontcourt or the backcourt.