Former NBA forward Amir Johnson, a native of Los Angeles, is set to join the Los Angeles Clippers’ coaching staff under head coach Tyronn Lue.
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The announcement was made by Law Murray of The Athletic via Twitter/X.
LA Clippers coaching news
Amir Johnson will join LAC player development staff. Solid vet for the big men.
Darnell Jackson, a former NBA player, will also be part of the San Diego Clippers staff https://t.co/NyAzD5rT5m
— Law Murray 🛝 (@LawMurrayTheNU) August 29, 2024
Johnson’s new role will focus on player development as the Clippers gear up for a significant roster shift, especially after losing stars Paul George and former MVP Russell Westbrook. With veterans like Kawhi Leonard and James Harden still in the lineup, the team is looking forward to its new home at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
Notably, the Clippers also have a promising group of younger players, including Cam Christie, Bones Hyland, Kevin Porter Jr., Joshua Primo, and Kai Jones, who may play crucial roles this season.
Amir Johnson enjoyed a successful 14-year career in the NBA, competing in 870 regular-season games for teams like the Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, and Philadelphia 76ers. Over his career, he averaged 7.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, with an impressive shooting percentage of 57%.
His standout season occurred in 2012-13 while with the Raptors, where he recorded career-best averages of 10.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. In a memorable performance against the Lakers, he scored 32 points in a thrilling 106-94 win.
Drafted as the 56th overall pick by the Pistons in the 2005 NBA Draft, Johnson’s journey began as one of the few players to go directly from high school to the NBA before the draft rule change in 2006. After a stint in Detroit and a short trade to the Bucks, he found his footing with the Raptors for six years before continuing his career with the Celtics and the 76ers, retiring from the NBA in 2019. Following his retirement, he joined the G League Ignite and transitioned into coaching, taking an assistant coach position with Ignite in October 2023.
This upcoming season marks Johnson’s debut as a coach in the NBA, and he’s eager to make an impact.
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