DerMarr Johnson -- my theory

[elindholm]

I think DerMarr Johnson will start the season on the Suns' active roster. They will attempt to show the league that he can play. He is a former #6 overall pick and still only 23 years old.

Then the Suns will package him with a large contract in order to trim payroll. The most likely scenario, I think, is Johnson plus Brevin Knight to Utah for a second-round draft pick in the distant future. The Jazz don't want to take on Knight's contract just for the heck of it, but would they do it if they got DerMarr Johnson in the deal on a cheap contract? I certainly think so.

It's even possible that Johnson could be packaged with Hardaway, although I don't have any ideas on what team might be interested. I know we have talked here about the Suns possible re-signing Hardaway to a modest deal once his current contract is up, but that is obviously not possible now that Marbury has inked his overmax extension. So Hardaway is gone, sooner or later.

I do think the signing of DerMarr Johnson was a very clever move by the Suns. It may turn out to have been a great steal -- whether he stays with the team (which I doubt), or brings much-needed financial relief.

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by elindholm

I do think the signing of DerMarr Johnson was a very clever move by the Suns.

It was, no doubt.
Is it sure that his contract is quaranteed?

 

[3rdside]

put the bong down elindholm...












just kidding - yeah that sounds like a possible idea. I don't like the idea of losing hardaway at all though...

 

[JCSunsfan]

Or, if they really like DerMarr, they trade JJ.

Either way, this signing has the potential to help them.

 

[elindholm]

Is it sure that his contract is quaranteed?

What I've read seems to indicate that it isn't. It has been described as a "make-good" contract. I'm not sure what that's supposed to mean -- maybe it becomes guaranteed if he makes the opening day roster, or something like that.

 

[Forrestham]

Why would a team do that? Any team could have had Johnson a couple of weeks ago. IF he is good just keep him

 

[F-Dog]

I think that the Suns have serious problems guarding SGs. Joe Johnson was their only real option as a defensive stopper last year, but he's bulked up to the point that he's bigger than Marion.

If DerMarr Johnson turns out to be the same guy that was drafted #6 overall a few years ago, the Suns could definitely use him.

Besides, teams aren't likely to want to trade for DerMarr until they forget that he was available for free a few week ago.