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Detroit Pistons: 2017-18 player grades for Stanley Johnson

By Gage Bridgford

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 9: Stanley Johnson #7 of the Detroit Pistons stretches with mascot Hooper of the Detroit Pistons before the game against the Toronto Raptors on April 9, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 9: Stanley Johnson #7 of the Detroit Pistons stretches with mascot Hooper of the Detroit Pistons before the game against the Toronto Raptors on April 9, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Stanley Johnson, Detroit Pistons
Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images /

Detroit Pistons small forward Stanley Johnson had a down year in the 2017-18 season as he struggled in multiple areas and has yet to take that next step.

With his third season in the books for the Detroit Pistons, Stanley Johnson continues to underwhelm. After being selected with the eighth overall pick out of Arizona in 2015, Johnson was expected to be the team’s 3-and-D wing of the future. When looking at his shooting lines, if you take his three best numbers, he only shot .375/.307/.784, and those were all from his rookie year.

In an increased role this season that included starting 50 games while averaging 27.4 minutes per game, he continued to struggle on offense. Johnson’s somewhat saving grace was on the defensive end, where, per NBAMath, he saved 41.75 points, while posting a positive box plus-minus. Unfortunately for both Johnson and the Pistons, he is looking more and more likely to be just a role player off the bench, rather than a starting small forward.

When looking back at this season, finding bright spots for Johnson was rather difficult due to his struggles, along with the team struggling. However, this year did show how raw he still is. In his first two seasons, he was able to play behind Marcus Morris and Tobias Harris. However, after both were traded either in season or out of season, there was nowhere left to hide.

Per Spotrac, Johnson still has two seasons under contract to turn things around. If he puts up a season like the one we just saw, he may get to test the restricted free agent waters pretty deeply in 2020. Without further delay, let’s dive into the 2017-18 season grades for Stanley Johnson by discussing the things he did well this year.

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