The Boston Celtics are going full “Back to the Future” mode with their latest 10-day hardship exception signing, and inking their 2001 first-round draft pick Joe Johnson, according to ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.
Wojnarowski adds that Johnson is expected to play against the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday night at TD Garden on the same day of his signing. At age 40 and having not played in the league since he was with the Houston Rockets in 2017-19, Celtics fans ought to temper their expectations — particularly given that the Little Rock native logged a modest 6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting just 27.9% from beyond the arc.
He likely won’t be a difference-maker on the court should he play, and could even threaten to take minutes likely better spent on developing young players away if used incorrectly.
Here's how long ago the Celtics drafted Joe Johnson: Red Auerbach was in the room and had a voice in the franchise's three first-round picks in June of 2001.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 22, 2021
But as a veteran presence and warm body should the worst happen and the team lose even more players into the league’s health and safety protocols or end up on the team’s injury report for other reasons, it is indeed a most interesting signing.
This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
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