Views from OKC: What the Dakari Johnson signing means

MISSISSAUGA, CANADA - JANUARY 19: Dakari Johnson
MISSISSAUGA, CANADA - JANUARY 19: Dakari Johnson /
facebooktwitterreddit
Dakari Johnson is now on the OKC Thunder
MISSISSAUGA, CANADA – JANUARY 19: The newest member of the OKC Thunder, Dakari Johnson, goes up for a shot during a game against the Santa Cruz Warriors as part of 2017 NBA D-League Showcase at the Hershey Centre on January 19, 2017 in Mississauga, Ontario. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Views from OKC is public diary from a bias but reasonable OKC Thunder fan. Today we examine the Dakari Johnson signing.

On July 20th, Sam Presti made the conscious decision to hand a 16th guaranteed contract out (assuming Terrance Ferguson eventually signs). That contract went to Dakari Johnson in the form of a two year deal, reportedly for the league minimum at $2,128,226.

We here at Thunderous Intentions have been hypothesizing this move since the regular season. Johnson did everything he could as a developing 21-year old to earn this contract: he was the youngest D-League All Star as well as the youngest All D-League performer by a full year. Johnson was named the First Team center.

There was nothing left for Dakari to prove in the D-League. But it’s still highly questionable whether or not the former Kentucky product can make it in the NBA. At 7-foot and 255 pounds, Johnson is the consummate big-bodied physical center. That prototype is becoming obsolete in today’s NBA.

He doesn’t have a fluid jump shot past twelve-feet to space the floor. Johnson’s not quick enough to switch and defend guards on the perimeter, nor fast enough to run the floor in transition with Russell Westbrook. But neither is Steven Adams.

That’s the bet Oklahoma City is taking with Johnson. The center’s post moves are already much more advanced than Adams, and he’s show the propensity to bring the ball up the court when he grabs a long rebound. Johnson’s defense in the post isn’t going to impact the game like Adams but he’s also not a negative on that end either.

Dakari still has hours of work to put in to crack the Thunder’s rotation. But 2 years at slightly over $2 million? You won’t get a better deal for a player that could potentially crack the rotation.

More important news for the current roster

Johnson’s not going to make much of an impact on the court this season. But his signing is going to shake up the way we look at this team. Once Ferguson signs the Thunder will have 16 guaranteed contracts for 15 roster spots. OKC could have used one of the two designated hybrid contracts on Johnson, but they obviously want him with the top squad at all times. There’s a few options at Sam Presti’s disposal.

  • Use the stretch provision on Kyle Singler. This one makes the most sense because 1) Singler is eating up precious cap with his $5 million contract and 2) Singler is not an NBA basketball player. Moving on.
  • More from Thunderous Intentions

    Cut Semaj Christon. Christon and the Thunder agreed to push back his guarantee date past training camp, giving Presti more time to decide if keeping a third point guard (albeit below-average) is worth it. I think it is.

    Make a trade. Presti isn’t done – that much is for sure. With potentially 16 guaranteed contracts in Oklahoma City it would make sense for Presti to make a 2-for-1 trade in which the Thunder acquire the more talented player.

    One thing is clear: another roster move is coming. Oklahoma City is still paying dead money to Ronnie Price this year so it would be in their best interest to not add on to that figure. Considering Johnson figures to be an Enes Kanter-like low post presence, a Kanter trade seems even more likely.


    Dakari Johnson, welcome to Oklahoma City. If you continue the work ethic you showcased with the Blue, you’ll find yourself thrilled with your new situation. Good luck.