There was a time when the Pistons believed Stanley Johnson was going to develop into the wing they wanted, he started 50 games for them in the 2018 season. It didn’t work out. He defended well, but on offense his skill just showed flashes. There were times the Pistons would talk themselves into him (like how he fit with Blake Griffin the second half of the season he was traded there), but he never developed a consistent three-point shot, or really a consistent anything on offense. Last season he was traded to the Pelicans as part of a three-team deal. New Orleans didn’t plan to bring him back.
Johnson is getting another chance north of the border, reaching a deal with the Toronto Raptors, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Free agent Stanley Johnson has agreed to a two-year, $7.5M deal with the Toronto Raptors, with a player option in the second season, agent Nima Namakian of BDA Sports tells @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 6, 2019
Johnson, 23, will have a fresh start and an excellent opportunity to develop in the Raptors system. He has become a strong defender in his NBA career so far. https://t.co/KWwmp2fc4c
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 6, 2019
The Raptors have some open minutes at the three now, in case you didn’t hear. It’s up to Johnson to earn them.
For the Raptors, this is a low-cost roll of the dice on a player with potential. It’s a risk worth taking.