National Basketball Association

Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Johnson Reportedly Agree To Deal

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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According to reports, Orlando Johnson has agreed to a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Although the Milwaukee Bucks currently have 15 guaranteed contracts on their roster, it’s safe to say that the plot is thickening in terms of the team’s gaping lack of wing depth.

Having come to terms with one potential wing option only a few days ago in the form of former Laker Xavier Henry, it now seems as if the Bucks are preparing to take a look at another swingman with an NBA track record.

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As reported by Mike Scotto of the Associated Press, the Bucks have come to terms on a deal with 27-year-old Orlando Johnson, a second round pick from the 2012 NBA Draft.

Johnson, an alumni of the University of California, Santa Barbara, most recently played for the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA, making five of his seven appearances in the 2015-16 season representing New Orleans.

Since making an impact in his rookie season with the Indiana Pacers thanks to some stellar play in limited minutes off of the bench, Johnson has failed to really find a long-term home in the NBA.

Since leaving Indiana, Johnson has taken in spells with the Kings, Suns and Pelicans, but has spent just as much of his time working hard in the D-League, as well as overseas in the likes of Spain, the Philippines and China.

At 6’5″, Johnson is a more natural shooting guard, although minutes at the three spot with the right matchup certainly wouldn’t be beyond him.

As a rookie, the California native showed a deft shooting touch from distance in making 38.3 percent of his 94 three-point attempts. Having struggled in the time since, the question has shifted towards deciding whether that season was a fluke or evidence of what he’s capable of in a settled, stable environment.

Defensively, Johnson has shown the ability to be relatively versatile, and blessed with a wingspan that ranges over 7’0″, there’s no reason to suggest that he couldn’t further build upon that aspect of his game in the right setting either.

In a league filled with stories of grit and perseverance in overcoming challenges placed in the paths of young men en route to the highest level of pro basketball, Johnson’s is one of the most harrowing.

Having lost almost everyone close to him at a very early age and still having managed to fight on and reach the levels he did speaks volume of Johnson’s character.

Orlando Johnson is tough, and perhaps even more importantly he’s skilled too. Johnson will join up with the Bucks at training camp knowing that he’s playing for his livelihood, but as the team continue to add wings into the mix, there’s certainly a glimmer of hope for the likes of Johnson and Henry.

What the Bucks do from here remains to be seen, but it looks as if they’re still assessing their options, one way or another.