NBA Draft: Re-drafting the historic 2009 NBA Draft

Some draft boards had Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward James Johnson going as high as the top-10, likely wooed by his versatility and athleticism.

NBADraft.net’s scouting report marveled at Johnson’s 7 foot 1 wingspan, ability as a facilitator on offense and his ability to play and guard multiple positions. The Danny Granger comparison seems like a bit much looking back, but the potential was there.

The Bulls decided to take a chance on that upside and selected Johnson with the 16th overall pick in 2009. He lasted only 78 games there before the team traded him to the Toronto Raptors for a pick that eventually turned into Norris Cole, who also didn’t last long in the organization.

Thus began a trek through the league for Johnson that included stops with Toronto, the Sacramento Kings, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Miami Heat.

Johnson’s fluidity had translated well in the modern, positionless NBA, but the streaky shooting that some scouting reports warned up about has made it hard for him to rise above his fringe role player status.

Still, Johnson has remained in the league thanks to his defense and timely scoring. Plus, his second-degree black belt in karate and undefeated record in kickboxing makes him the person you least want to mess with on the court if a tussle breaks out.

This will probably be the only pick that will mirror the actual draft. Chicago seemed set for the future with Derrick Rose as their franchise player. So the Bulls only needed to fill out the roster with solid secondary pieces, and Johnson fit the bill. However, they should have kept him longer than a year and a half.