B.J. Johnson’s 10-day contract with the Hawks went into effect Friday, so the clock is ticking for the 23-year-old rookie to make an impact in his first NBA expedition.
As soon as Jordan Sibert's 10-day deal ran out, the Hawks signed Johnson from the Orlando Magic's G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic.
“It’s been a lifelong dream,” Johnson said. “To finally be here, it’s a dream come true.”
The 6-foot-7 forward played 38 games for Lakeland, averaging 14.9 points and 5.1 rebounds. He has “3-and-D” potential -- he shot 43.3 percent from deep this season and picked up 1.4 steals and 0.6 blocks per game.
Coach Lloyd Pierce said that he heard about Johnson through former NBA guard Anthony Parker, who now serves as general manager of the G League and was a groomsman in Pierce’s wedding. Pierce was impressed with Johnson’s quick rise through the ranks after going undrafted in 2018.
“He’s a guy that went from a G League tryout to a 10-day in this short of a span,” Pierce said. “To get that, not a two-way, but from a tryout straight to a 10-day in the first two months of 10-days, is a testament to his play and the growth that he’s had.”
Johnson said that this opportunity had been foreshadowed, but he didn’t expect it this soon.
“The Lakeland staff, they just kept telling me to keep doing what I was doing and that people were watching. You really don’t know what that means at that point, but I just kept trying to play as hard as I can,” he said.
Johnson’s transition from the team has been smoothed by his relationship with several Hawks players. He played his last two seasons of college ball at La Salle, which is located in Philadelphia near Omari Spellman’s alma mater, Villanova. La Salle also played in the same conference as St. Bonaventure and St. Joseph’s, where Jaylen Adams and DeAndre’ Bembry played, respectively.
“Everybody’s been genuine and showed me love ever since I got here. I knew Jaylen, DeAndre’ and Omari from school, so they’ve helped me through it,” Johnson said.
Pierce said that regardless of whether the Hawks keep Johnson after his deal runs out or not, the period is useful from an evaluative standpoint. When the team looks to fill out its summer-league and training-camp rosters in the future, they can lean on players such as Johnson and Sibert.
Pierce assured that, like Sibert, Johnson will definitely get some time on the floor before his time is up.
“I’m excited for him, and I was excited for Jordan, and all these guys when they get their first opportunity. I definitely don’t want to be a guy that they are here on a 10-day and they never get to touch an NBA court, so at some point, he’ll get out there,” Pierce said.
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