Amir Johnson: Is It Time To Part Ways?

By Joshua Howe | May 5, 2015

Mar 18, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Amir Johnson (15) reacts after dunking the ball for a basket during the second half of the Raptors 105-100 win over Minnnesota Timberwolves at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

If Amir Johnson is traded from the Toronto Raptors, he will depart one of the most beloved players in franchise history. His praises are sung often only by those most hardcore of Raps fans: he hustles, he’s low maintenance, he gives 100 percent effort every night and he’s a great locker room guy.

More from Toronto Raptors

But things are changing. Masai Ujiri is going to have to make some substantial trades this offseason in order to try and revamp the roster quickly. If he is able to do so successfully, the Raps should still be competitive in the weak East. Their division won’t be much better next season either, so there’s still a chance that the Raptors can retool while remaining somewhat of a force.

One of the spots Toronto needs to upgrade most is the starting power forward spot. Patrick Patterson was one of the better Raptors this year and probably will be kept around as the backup 4. But for Amir, it seems clear his time in The Big Smoke is coming to an end.

The Raps just didn’t get enough production from him this season. He was inconsistent, dealt with a myriad of injuries and his numbers took a dip. He’s only 27 years old, but as the last player to come directly into the NBA out of high school, he’s been in the league for 10 seasons. It’s a fair amount of miles and his nagging injuries only seem to get worse year after year.

Johnson is a warrior. One of the toughest dudes in the league. He’ll never say anything or do anything to try and get out of a game. If he can play, he’s playing. But his numbers take a hit when he plays hurt, and he’s often visibly battling just to stay out there.

In terms of being a trade chip, hobbling around the court and playing often at a mediocre level doesn’t make a player worth a valuable return.

If the Raps can’t find a good trade for Amir, perhaps Ujiri can try to talk to him and get him to explore free agency this summer. Maybe he’ll be able to find a title contender that is willing to bring him aboard as a backup option.

As a true Raptors fan, I would love to see Amir get a shot at a title on a team like the Spurs. He’s the type of guy who really deserves it. Plus, if he can find something like that, Toronto can then move on to trying to find their future starting power forward. Everyone ends up happy.

There are some fantastic options at the 4 who are entering free agency this summer and will be available for wooing. A few notable names include: LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, Paul Millsap, David West, Josh Smith, Thaddeus Young, Tristan Thompson, Brandon Bass and Ed Davis.

Those are some guys who are worth throwing money at. All of them can give more than Amir can as a starter. A lot of fans have wanted to try and steal West for some time now. As a rough and tumble kind of player with a solid mid-range jump shot, I think he’d be a great compliment to the team.

It will be worth it to try and first go after some of the bigger names in general this offseason (especially with all of Toronto’s expiring contracts), but realistically a guy like West is easier to acquire. He would also be a good addition to the Raps’ winning culture that is still sort of in the midst of coming to fruition.

We’ve had some great years with Amir Johnson. He’s been through it all with Toronto and given us all he’s got. It will be difficult to see him go. And yet there it is, the writing on the wall.

Things are changing. It might just be time.

Next: Our Latest NBA Mock Draft

More from Hoops Habit

Home/Toronto Raptors