'Iso Joe' is returning to the NBA with the Pistons.
Joe Johnson, who last played in the NBA in 2017-18 and was recently named MVP of the Big3 league, has agreed to a one-year deal with Detroit, per various reports.
Detroit Pistons and @thebig3 star Joe Johnson has reached an agreement on a deal, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes)
September 12, 2019 Joe Johnson has agreed to a partially guaranteed one-year deal with the Detroit Pistons, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
September 12, 2019 In his last NBA season, Johnson averaged 6.8 points and 3.1 rebounds over 55 games with the Jazz and the Rockets. He shot just 28 percent from three, an area where the Pistons need help, but he shot 41 percent the season before that and stands at 37 percent for his career.
Johnson's prime came about 10 years ago when he played for the Hawks. He was an All-Star six years in a row from 2006-07 to 2011-12, averaging 21.0 points per game over this stretch. He fell to 11.0 points per game from 2014-15 to 2017-18.
Johnson, now 38, impressed NBA teams with his strong play in the Big3 League, which consists mostly of former NBA players. He hit the game-winning shot in the championship game last month. Before signing with the Pistons, he also worked out for the Bucks and the Nets.
He's the first Big3 player to land an NBA deal.
To make room for Johnson on their roster, which was at the 20-player max, the Pistons are waiving Michael Beasley, according to
Yahoo Sports. Johnson, who can play both forward and guard, will join the Pistons for the start of training camp Oct 1.
