Former Hawks Forward Ivan Johnson Signs Deal in China

Mar 4, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Ivan Johnson (44) warming up before the first half against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 104-88. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

According to widespread reports, former Atlanta Hawks power forward Ivan Johnson is headed to China.

Johnson will play the 2013-2014 season with the Zhejiang Chouzhou basketball club as part of a 1-year contract, but his agent, Jeremiah Haylett, reportedly maintains that Johnson could return to the NBA at some point later in the season. This is realistic because of the shorter length of the CBA season (just 3.5 months), and the fact that Johnson had reported interest in the NBA.

ESPN’s Jared Zwerling reports that the Bulls, Clippers, Lakers, Pacers, and Knicks had all discussed bringing Johnson in for the upcoming season, and frankly, I’m shocked that he isn’t playing in the league this year.

Johnson has a career PER (player efficiency rating) of 15.1, which would place him as basically an “average” NBA player. He has career averages of 6.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, but those numbers jump to 14.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per 36 minutes. My assumption would be that Johnson’s potential for combustibility contributed to his lack of a sure-fire NBA deal, but his on-court production should have given him a guaranteed roster spot somewhere.

It is far too early to start speculating on the “end” of an NBA career for Johnson, and I think he’ll be back at some point. The Hawks simply ran out of room for him with the off-season acquisitions and the need to renounce his services for cap space. Ivan will likely be a fan favorite wherever he goes, thanks to his general deportment, but he’s got NBA skills, and that still matters in this league.

Farewell, old friend.