Samson Johnson signed with the Pacers | The Boneyard

Samson Johnson signed with the Pacers

Both on exhibit 10 deals - essentially a training camp invite. Can be converted to a two-way if they perform well, but can be cut at any time

Congrats Samson! This is a foot in the door, and the rest is up to him
 
REB1094 said:
Both on exhibit 10 deals - essentially a training camp invite. Can be converted to a two-way if they perform well, but can be cut at any time

Congrats Samson! This is a foot in the door, and the rest is up to him
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Samson has a pro body and athleticism, four years in the UConn program, and he is still rising as a player. If the Pacers like that potential, anything could happen.
 
Son of Robert said:
Samson has a pro body and athleticism, four years in the UConn program, and he is still rising as a player. If the Pacers like that potential, anything could happen.
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He doesn't have a pro body though. He's a 225lb center and he's been in a D1 strength program for 4 years. Surviving in the league is going to be close to impossible for him at his size.
 
husky429 said:
He doesn't have a pro body though. He's a 225lb center and he's been in a D1 strength program for 4 years. Surviving in the league is going to be close to impossible for him at his size.
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Right, there's no way he can play center in the league. He might however have a role coming off the bench for a few minutes as a defensive forward...but realistically to get signed to a 2-way he'll need to expand his offense beyond dunks.

The free-agent signings post-draft have bigger "names" than the list of players drafted in the second round. I particularly like Portland's signing of Caleb Love to a 2-way.
 
Here’s an article, with some info about what his deal will be.

All three of those contracts are expected to be Exhibit 10 deals, according to the league source. An Exhibit 10 contract is a one-year, non-guaranteed minimum deal and it is usually used for teams to add to their Summer League and G League rosters. A team can have six Exhibit 10 deals and if it waives a player, that player can earn a bonus of up to approximately $75,000 for spending at least 60 days with that team's G League affiliate. This most likely means Johnson, Felton and Ashworth will play for the Pacers in July's NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and then for the Noblesville Boom in the G League.

www.indystar.com

Pacers sign UConn's Samson Johnson, ECU's R.J. Felton, Creighton's Steven Ashworth to Exhibit 10 deals

Pacers sign UConn center Samson Johnson, East Carolina guard RJ Felton and Creighton's Steven Ashworth signed what will likely be Exhibit 10 deals.
www.indystar.com
 
Shine21 said:



They also signed Steven Ashworth.
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Good for both of them. As much as Ahsworth was a thorn in our side, he appeared to be a class act on / off court. Good for him.

I see Samson Johnson surprising a lot of people in the NBA and while struggling to make rosters for the first year or so, eventually sticking with a team and getting some PT.

Aside from his athleticism/height etc. he has that special something that drives him to be better and better and if there’s a more likable player out there - I haven’t seen it. I think that will help him big time next level.

I wish him the best!
 
Son of Robert said:
Samson has a pro body and athleticism, four years in the UConn program, and he is still rising as a player. If the Pacers like that potential, anything could happen.
Expand ...
Congrats to Samson!

Pretty amazing that he was pretty much a non-factor at UConn until his junior season, stuck around for his degree and now he's got his shot at the NBA.

Although we never saw it at Storrs, I'm curious if Samson can blossom his perimeter offense potential he flashed in HS, kinda like what Karl Anthony Towns is doing later in his career.
 
Hey Adrien! said:
Congrats to Samson!

Pretty amazing that he was pretty much a non-factor at UConn until his junior season, stuck around for his degree and now he's got his shot at the NBA.

Although we never saw it at Storrs, I'm curious if Samson can blossom his perimeter offense potential he flashed in HS, kinda like what Karl Anthony Towns is doing later in his career.
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I think it's entirely possible. His FT shooting % nearly doubled from 43% to 75% last year. His form looked improved. Guy works his butt off. Will likely take a couple more years to materialize, if/when it will happen.

Loved him as a UConn player and by all accounts is a great human. I hope it happens.
 
husky429 said:
He doesn't have a pro body though. He's a 225lb center and he's been in a D1 strength program for 4 years. Surviving in the league is going to be close to impossible for him at his size.
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They have to catch him first.
 
The NBA is a match up league. A guy like Samson should have some situations, with his quickness and hops, where he is a very favorable match up. On the down side he will undoubtedly have some very unfavorable match ups. His chances to make an NBA team will depend on him having coach that can maximize his plus side. That where his value will lie and be determined.
 
husky429 said:
Where else is he going to play? You gotta make shots from greater than 3 feet to player PF in the league now my man.
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He will. He did in HS. He does have the ideal stretch 4 frame. Just has to keep working on that shot.

Edit: knew I'd get the laugh emoji from @superjohn . That's ok. I've been hoping Samson would bust out a stretch 4 for four years and I can continue for another couple of years. I prefer to be positive.
 
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Son of Robert said:
Samson has a pro body and athleticism, four years in the UConn program, and he is still rising as a player. If the Pacers like that potential, anything could happen.
Expand ...
It’s very situational. Samson has too many offensive liabilities to play PF, and too many defensive liabilities to play C. Barring a massive leap to his HS days of stretch big, it feels like his NBA calling would be a bench C in lineups that like to run

Indiana loves to run. Their star is injured next season so there’s no real expectation of winning, and they have a big Myles Turner contract issue on their hands. Their backup Cs spend a lot of time injured and aren’t that good when they’re healthy

It’s a STEEP hill, but Samson’s path in Indiana would be:
  1. Crush training camp, get invited to Summer League. Crush Summer League, sign a 2 way
  2. Pacers can’t afford Myles Turner and they let him walk
  3. They pick up another starting C and don’t care for Thomas Bryant/Tony Bradley (or they get injured again)
  4. Samson does well in the G League and sporadically gets called up for some emergency minutes
And from there, it’s up to him
 
Happy for Samson, hope he reaches that bonus on the G league team before heading off to Europe.
 
Happy for Samson, he will need to add 15 - 20 pounds for him to play at the NBA physicality level along with getting that outside shot going again as he did in high school, he certainly has the athleticism. I was hoping coach Hurley would let him stretch things out for him at the college level, but it didn't materialize here. I can't help but root for this young man to get it going in the NBA. If it doesn't work out there he will certainly make some millions overseas. Good luck Samson and thank you for 4 exciting years at UConn.
 
husky429 said:
Where else is he going to play? You gotta make shots from greater than 3 feet to player PF in the league now my man.
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I don't have an answer. We have only seen how Hurley played him, other coaches must see a way to utilize him, or he would not still be kicking around getting exhibit 10 deals with the opportunity for more.
 
Son of Robert said:
I don't have an answer. We have only seen how Hurley played him, other coaches must see a way to utilize him, or he would not still be kicking around getting exhibit 10 deals with the opportunity for more.
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The answer is he's going to play the 5 if he plays in the NBA. I could see him finding a niche role as a matchup dependent rim-runner and shto blocker for the right team
 
REB1094 said:
Indiana loves to run. Their star is injured next season so there’s no real expectation of winning, and they have a big Myles Turner contract issue on their hands. Their backup Cs spend a lot of time injured and aren’t that good when they’re healthy
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This. Samson's chances of sticking with an NBA are pretty low. But Indiana's style of play fits his him as well as any. He is a rocket for a 6-10 dude and can slide between center and forward. A fast paced, positionless team is ideal. Plus next year will be a developmental year for Indiana as Haliburton will be sidelined, so that means he wouldn't be in a win now situation.

Overall, this is probably one of the best landing spots for him to have a chance. Why not give it a shot? He can always go international and still make millions. Right now, he is still chasing his dream.
 
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