Player Profile: Amir Johnson

5 Years, $34 Million

Free agency started not with a boom but a sparkle as the first shoe too drop was not Lebron James, Dwayne Wade or Chris Bosh but none other then Drew Gooden. Needless to say shockwaves were felt all over the vast NBA landscape. The trend continued with career back-up big men such former second overall pick Darko Millicic signing a deal that would net him a $5 million salary annually and Channing Frye re-upping in Phoenix for $30 million over 5 years.

The local rubber-ballers were not too be shut out on the action by re-signing their own free agent back-up big man Amir Johnson to a $34 million deal that would in theory keep him in Toronto for the next 5 years. The signing of Johnson was not a surprise, it has been long been anticipated with both sides showing a strong commitment to each other in recent months.

What is somewhat surprising is the timing and financial implications. As recently as last week Johnson stated he didn't expect to sign a deal with any team right away, rather he would wait for the dust to settle amongst the big free agents and then make his decision. What may have changed his tune is the fact that the Raptors outbid themselves by offering Johnson $7 million annually.

Strictly from a player personnel move it was the right one. Amir had continued growth all season and seemed to be finding a starting calibre groove towards the end of the season. An excellent compliment to Andrea Bargnani because of his strength on the defensive end, rebounding and blocking shots and offensively getting most of his points in transition, put backs and alley-oops, Johnson doesn't take touches away from Bargnani or Turkoglu (presumed to to have a good shot at returning now).

The money is certainly the problem. Most fans or professional Toronto pundits will try to justify it because they like Amir as a player and the fact that without Chris Bosh Toronto had very little depth in the front court. The fact remains though that Colangelo has once again gambled with house money. Betting that Amir Johnson can be a consistent starter or at the very least play starter minutes even though he has had a penchant for committing fouls at a high clip over his career.

At 23 years old Johnson could still continue to grow and possibly be in the perfect situation to maximize his talents in the pick and roll with either Jose Calderon or Jarrett Jack. The problem right now is that this deal reeks too me of Dan Gadzuric and if you just said 'who?' then that should say it all.

I like the player, I don't like the financial commitment.

The Outlook

So from a bigger perspective, what does this mean for the Raptors? Well at the very least they now have the makings of a front court rotation with Johnson and Bargnani starting and Ed Davis coming off the bench. Athletically at least it matched the combination they had last year with Bosh in the mix and they have the potential to be better defensively but overall will be no comparison to a front court with Bosh.

The interesting angle to look at from this point on is how this signing and Amir fit into the master plan, if Colangelo has one. Conventional wisdom and the talent available always suggested that if Bosh were to be involved in a sign and trade it would involve a big man coming back from the other team. Names such as Andrew Bynum, Taj Gidson, David Lee and even Luis Scola have all been linked to the Raptors.

This now begs a few questions, with the signing of Amir and the drafting of Ed Davis, does that not make some of these names redundant? Can you have a back up making $7 million a year?

We should find out the answer to these question Monday or Tuesday of next week, it is believed that is when Lebron will make his decision with the other (including Chris Bosh) to follow suit.

- J.Moore