Field Level Media: LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t the only team loading up for a run at the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors.
Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey announced the signing of veteran guard/forward Joe Johnson in a press release Wednesday.
According to multiple reports, the seven-time All-Star will be in uniform and available to play against the Sacramento Kings later the same evening.
The Kings agreed to a buyout with the 17th-year veteran on Sunday following a three-team deal before the Feb. 8 trade deadline that delivered Johnson from the Utah Jazz. Johnson will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
While Johnson, 36, has averaged just 8.6 points and 23.1 minutes per game since signing a two-year contract with the Jazz before the 2016-17 season, the veteran still remains a potent playoff weapon. Johnson carried the Jazz in key stretches of the team’s first-round series win last spring over the Los Angeles Clippers, including a 28-point outburst in a critical Game 4 victory in the seven-game series.
Johnson, who missed time this season with a wrist injury, has played in just 32 games and is averaging 7.3 points in 21.9 minutes per game.
Entering Wednesday night’s action, the Rockets have won nine consecutive games and are 43-13 this season, just a half-game behind the NBA-best Warriors in the race for the top seed in the Western Conference.
To make room on the roster for Johnson, the Rockets waived swingman Troy Williams.
