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The Charlotte Bobcats plan to use their open roster spot to sign Linton Johnson, a forward with a strong defensive presence, the Observer has learned.
Johnson is expected to take a physical Tuesday and, assuming he passes, sign in time to participate in a morning practice. He’d replace Jermareo Davidson, who was waived Monday to reduce the roster one below the NBA maximum 15.
Cutting Davidson will cost the Bobcats approximately $700,000 in guaranteed money. However, he was playing little under coach Larry Brown, who is looking for more defensive presence on a team full of jump-shooters.
Johnson has played at the fringes of the NBA since the 2003-04 season, spending time with the Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns, New Jersey Nets and New Orleans Hornets. His strongest showing was in Chicago, where he started 20 games during the ’03-04 season. Johnson was with the Washington Wizards this preseason before being waived a week ago.
Brown said before camp he had three roster priorities: Adding a veteran third point guard, having at least two wing defenders and knowing he has at least five big men he can trust to be in the rotation.
Johnson seemingly addresses the wing defender request, joining Gerald Wallace in that role. Based on comments he made to New Jersey reporters, after a trade from the New Orleans Hornets to the Nets, he knows what keeps him on NBA rosters.
“My role on this team is to defend and rebound. With any type of sporting event, that’s how you win,’’ Johnson said. “You’ve got to play defense and you’ve got to be able to close it out. (Coach) told me that’s what my role is on this team, and I feel like I can contribute that.’’
The Bobcats could be looking for another big man with a defensive presence. One possibility could be Dwayne Jones, a 6-foot-11 center-forward recently cut by the Orlando Magic. Jones started on the Saint Joseph’s team that went undefeated in the regular season before losing to Oklahoma State, one step short of the Final Four in 2004.
