NBA Rumors: Rockets Stint Informally Sent Big3 MVP To Retirement

Joe Johnson is already 38 years old, but he has shown that he can still play competitive ball when given the chance. Spotted over at the Big3, the seven-time NBA All-Star caught the eye of several teams and could be playing pro ball with some team before the 2019-20 NBA season officially gets underway.

Fresh from a championship and emerging as the Big3 MVP, Johnson got an invite to work out with three teams, ESPN reported. The Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets were among the teams interested in the 10th overall pick of the 2001 NBA Draft who could land a bench role. According to a previous report from ESPN, the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets and New Orleans Pelicans were also interested in checking him out.

The rising number of teams interested in him is a surprise considering he somehow just vanished back in 2018. He suited up for the Houston Rockets that year but was hardly used. For Johnson, the fact that he was not used in the playoffs may have sent mixed signals - including retirement.

Seeing how he has reached an age where most NBA stars would call it a career, such would be understandable. However, the fact that he never officially announced it means doors are still open. Rather than publicly make it known, he may have done something better by showing the world that he still has the moves.

There is still no word on who among the teams who worked him out will take him in. But it may be best for the 6-foot-7 player to consider that his role could be limited. He could be dangled a veteran's minimum and play on borrowed time. With teams in need of players who can hit it from the outside, Johnson will likely be more of a reliever than the main gun.

His last NBA season clearly showed a big dip in production. It was with the Utah Jazz where he averaged 7.3 points and 3.3 rebounds. Moving to Houston hardly helped, seeing his numbers drop a bit to 6.0 points and 2.8 caroms. The last time he had big numbers was during the 2015-16 NBA season when he moved to the Miami Heat. He averaged 13.4 points and 2.8 rebounds.

The numbers alone paint a clear picture of what Johnson can give. His Big3 performance may be something but everyone knows that changes when NBA ball comes in. For Johnson, a return could be more of a fulfillment that would allow him to formally retire from pro basketball.