Raptors bring back James 'Baby Pippen" Johnson for 2 years.

[BoogieWoogieMan]

No news on the price tag, but I like this. Already has chemistry with the team, plays tough defense, and is a true enforcer. Hopefully he matured during his time away.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/n...james-johnson/

Edit: 2 years for 5 Million.

[Qwyjibo]

I like this a lot. Hopefully he can keep his head on straight. For this cheap of a price, why not?

I was kinda pissed off when they let him go the last time. Even back then it was obvious that James Johnson was a better player than Landry Fields. Not just a better value comparing chump change to $7 million per year, but better overall. Goddamn Landry Fields...

Johnson can't shoot at all but he's decent enough at pretty much everything else to be a rotation player. He's also big and strong enough to give you some minutes at PF when you're running out smaller lineups.

[bluerap]

Read a rumour that second year is not guaranteed. Even better!

I'm guessing they've offered the same deal to Blatche and he is thinking on it.

If he takes it the team looks really good depth wise

Lowry/Vazquez
Demar/Lou
Ross/JJ
Amir/Pat
Val/Blatche

that is a deep team

[Jballer]

If he takes it the team looks really good depth wise

Lowry/Vazquez
Demar/Lou
Ross/JJ
Amir/Pat
Val/Blatche

that is a deep team

Flushed out a bit (assuming Blatche is just a rumor)

K Lowry/ G Vazquez
D Derozan/ Lou Williams
T Ross /James Johnson / Brazilian Pick
Amir Johnson / Patterson / Hansborough
J Valencuisnas / C Hayes / Brazilian Pick via Atlanta

[Qwyjibo]

Flushed out a bit (assuming Blatche is just a rumor)

K Lowry/ G Vazquez
D Derozan/ Lou Williams
T Ross /James Johnson / Brazilian Pick
Amir Johnson / Patterson / Hansborough
J Valencuisnas / C Hayes / Brazilian Pick via Atlanta

I think that's going to be the primary rotation unless one of the new young guys surprises. With Hansbrough and Hayes getting minimal time when foul trouble or injuries occur.

[Wat_Wat__]

good signing... the team needed a big wing defender

[Jballer]

I think that's going to be the primary rotation unless one of the new young guys surprises. With Hansbrough and Hayes getting minimal time when foul trouble or injuries occur.

There is one more "to be named" - I assume our 2nd rounder at $900,000.00 per year.

I think the Collective Bargaining Agreement is 14 minimum per team and 15 in X % of teams and 16 allowed for "injured reserve".

I only accounted for 13 there. So one more "for sure".

EDIT Oooops Freudian Slip :

Guess I might be too full of hope.

K Lowry/ G Vazquez
D Derozan/ Lou Williams
T Ross /James Johnson / Brazilian Pick
Amir Johnson / Patterson / Hansborough
J Valencuisnas / C Hayes / Brazilian Pick via Atlanta

Way down off the bench : [COLOR="Red"]Landry Fields[/COLOR]

They could still probably bring in the 2nd rounder or Buycyks (Stone?) and be under the Luxury Threshold (but over the cap) to add the 15th roster spot. The NBA may not like Toronto only carrying 14 especially being a team under the tax...

I mean the luxury tax teams would rightly claim that the small teams are not doing their part of the CBA.

[Zan Tabak]

Way down off the bench : Landry Fields

I'm hoping he has to buy ticket to the games. At least that way the franchise would get something back.

James Johnson = good signing. Especially at that price.

[missionman]

Back in Johnson's first go around with the Raptors he was my favourite raptor. Always love non-center's that block shots (like Vince, MJ and Pippen in their early years of their careers averaging more than 1 per game) - and natually these guard/sf's could jump out of the gym like Johnson, who can throw the ball down.

really like this signing. esp with the understanding that has that he is our defensive stopper

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXEXvAZD31E

[Kujo]

I can't say I'm a huge fan of this signing as the dude was inconsistent, and frustrating as hell as a Raptor (with occasional bursts of brilliance).

That being said, we got him on the cheap, and hopefully he can play the way he played for the Grizz when Gasol got hurt.

I can't say I'm optimistic, but maybe he'll prove me wrong. I'm rooting for him.

[Zan Tabak]

I can't say I'm a huge fan of this signing as the dude was inconsistent, and frustrating as hell as a Raptor (with occasional bursts of brilliance).

That being said, we got him on the cheap, and hopefully he can play the way he played for the Grizz when Gasol got hurt.

I can't say I'm optimistic, but maybe he'll prove me wrong. I'm rooting for him.

I wouldn't worry too much, he's our 9th man. If he's playing like crap he is easily benchable.

[The_Night_Elf]

Landry Fields has the best job in the world; grossly overpaid bench NBA warmer.

[bk33]

he was balling last season for Memphis, doesn't even look like the same person he was on the Raps, lost 30lb? Let's hope he continues doing work.

[Dr.Funk]

Still can't believe that BC traded him for less than he was acquired for after he IMPROVED.

[Legends66NBA7]

Still can't believe that BC traded him for less than he was acquired for after he IMPROVED.

It's BC. You can believe the worst about him.