Upon losing to the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 Monday, questions were immediately directed to Rockets guard Joe Johnson about his uncertain future in the NBA. But Johnson, who’s seen his role diminish in recent years, said he has no plans of retiring this summer and looks forward to returning for his 18th season.
“Hell yeah, I want to keep rolling,” Johnson told ESPN after Game 7. “I’m not even thinking about [retiring].”
Johnson has played a total of 17 seasons with seven different teams: Boston, Phoenix, Atlanta, Brooklyn, Miami, Utah and Houston. He was named an NBA All-Star in all but one season with the Hawks, as well as one season with the Brooklyn Nets.
But Johnson, who holds career-averages of 16 points, four rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, has never won an NBA championship. He signed with the Heat in 2016, then left for Utah that summer. When both of those missions failed to acquire him a ring, he signed with the Rockets in February of 2018. He’ll be a free agent this summer, where he’ll look to sign with a Playoff contender once again.
“I would love to have a chance to win a ring,” he said. “I thought we had a great opportunity, man. It slipped away from us. I want to go to a contender. I don’t want to just be out here playing just to be playing.”
Johnson says he’d be interested in re-signing with the Rockets, but like 28 other teams, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey will explore his options for landing mega-free-agent LeBron James this July. That could lead to a plethora of contracts either being moved or not accepted altogether.
Johnson will likely seek a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal to latch on with a contender for his potential final NBA season in 2018-19. Teams who can use veteran guidance and locker room support may come calling in July.
