A deal for a backup big man may fly under the radar for some Toronto Raptor Fans. But let it be known: Amir Johnson has the talent to start; this 22 year old was named starting PF for the Detroit Pistons last year and was set to be the starting PF beside Andrew Bogut for the Milwaukee Bucks before the Clippers dumped Zach Randolph to the Grizzlies, in turn freeing up Hakim Warrick to sign with the Bucks and take Amir Johnsons starting slot.

Amir Johnson has loads of potential and is probably the most explosive Raptors big man, since….., no….., ever.

Some may ask “What about Jermaine O’neal??”. Simply put, we did not get the vintage, athletic Jermaine O’neal we all hoped for. With that being said, Amir Johnson was compared to a poor man’s Jermaine O’neal as a best case scenario coming into the league as an 18 year-old. So while we are not expecting all-star status from Amir Johnson any time soon, he is a perfect athletic, slashing, explosive, shot-blocking PF complement to finesse face-to-the-basket players like Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani. But don’t be fooled Amir Johnson has his own arsenal (albeit less developed) of face to the basket moves and is a good shooter as well.

Amir Johnson was not a high draft pick so one may be confused as to why we like the trade so much. In actuality, Star Louisville recruit Amir Johnson was prognosticated as a future lottery pick, eyeing the 2007 draft as the most likely arrival date for this highly touted, yet still offensively raw high school prospect. However it was grades that kept him out of College and forced him to enter the 2005 NBA draft, even though he was projected as no more than a 2nd round project pick.

Amir Johnson will only continue to get better and better providing he gets regular playing time and the right coaching and training staff. It is our feeling here at Raptors Digest that Bryan Colangelo pulled quite the coup landing Amir Johsnon for spare parts who did not figure into the Raptors plans this season or next, in any way shape or form. Add to that that both Johnson and Weems have expiring contracts as this deal appears to be wizardry on the part of Bryan Colangelo. Expiring contract notwithstanding, we feel that Amir Johnson should be extended at ALL costs. He has loads of potential and is just the type of player Toronto Raptors fans have been waiting for and most of us do not even know it yet.

Welcome to Toronto Amir Johsnon, this is going to be a fun ride!!