It wasn't long ago that Johnson looked like the Spurs' best player, signing a four-year, $74 million contract to serve as the potential face of the franchise.
Of course, winning the No. 1 overall pick in 2023 and the right to select Victor Wembanyama has altered those plans. Giving Devin Vassell a five-year, $135 million contract pointed toward a diminished role for Johnson moving forward as well.
While he began the season as a starter, Johnson has come off the bench since Dec. 23, struggling in his new role. The 24-year-old was averaging 17.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists on 47.0 percent shooting overall (35.3 percent from three) in 26 games as a starter, numbers that have since fallen to 15.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 43.2 percent shooting (31.1 percent from three) in 27 games as a reserve.
The Spurs will once again be adding a top draft pick this summer and still need to find minutes for guys like Jeremy Sochan, Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley and others to develop.
