Stanley Johnson Trade Rumors: Latest News and Speculation on Pistons Wing
After moving down to the Detroit Pistons' NBA Development League affiliate in order to get more playing time, Stanley Johnson may be looking for a change of scenery to get his career back on track.
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Johnson's Situation Piquing Opposing GMs' Interest
Tuesday, Dec. 13
CSN Chicago's Vincent Goodwill (via CSNNE.com) reported Sunday that the Pistons have so far been reticent to any trade offers for Johnson. Goodwill added that Johnson's recent struggles may entice opposing general managers to increase their pursuits if they feel his future in Detroit is in jeopardy.
Johnson appeared in one game for the Grand Rapids Drive, a 107-96 loss to the Delaware 87ers last Saturday. He scored 26 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out four assists.
The D-League shared highlights from his performance:
The Pistons recalled Johnson and two others from the Drive on Monday.
The 2016-17 season hasn't gone according to plan for the 20-year-old. He's averaging 3.5 points on 38.9 percent shooting and connecting on 30.8 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. The three-point shooting is particularly concerning after Johnson shot 37.1 percent from deep in his only year at Arizona.
Earlier in the month, Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy was critical of Johnson's work ethic during practice, per MLive's Aaron McMann:
"He's got to be a better practice guy. He's got to be a better workout guy. He's got to be better with all that stuff. Really working to get better. Once he's out there competing, you don't have a problem with that. He'll play as hard as anybody, but he's got to understand that's not the whole thing. It's preparing to play.
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Van Gundy was emphatic, though, that Johnson remains a key piece of Detroit's future.
"He’s definitely a part of our long-term plan," he said, per USA Today's Vince Ellis. "I think the guy has a chance to be really, really good."
As bad as things have gotten this season, it would be foolish for the Pistons to trade Johnson unless they receive an offer that far exceeds his value. He's only in his second season, and given his age, he has plenty of time to turn things around.
Otto Porter Jr., a first-round pick in 2013, had a similarly frustrating start to his NBA career and has since become a valuable starter for the Washington Wizards. Nik Stauskas, a 2014 first-rounder, looks to be finally finding his footing in his third year.
Johnson hasn't lost any of the athleticism he showed at Arizona, and he's a wing who could potentially guard either forward position. So long as Detroit remains patient with him, Johnson can still become a productive member of the roster.
