Atlanta Dream sign free agent forward Glory Johnson

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 12: Glory Johnson #25 of the Dallas Wings handles the ball against Odyssey Sims #1 of the Los Angeles Sparks during a WNBA basketball game at Staples Center on July 12, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 12: Glory Johnson #25 of the Dallas Wings handles the ball against Odyssey Sims #1 of the Los Angeles Sparks during a WNBA basketball game at Staples Center on July 12, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)

After playing her whole career in the Tulsa/Dallas organization, Johnson is headed to Atlanta

The Atlanta Dream have signed free agent forward Glory Johnson, who has spent her previous seven seasons in the Dallas/Tulsa franchise, the team announced Thursday.

Johnson inked a one-year, $165,000 deal with no protection.

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As has been discussed at length throughout WNBA free agency thus far, the Dream are looking for help on both ends of the floor, but particularly on offense. After a league-worst 8-26 record and the WNBA’s worst offense in nearly every statistical category last season, it is obvious that Atlanta needs some serious assistance.

Johnson, a two-time WNBA All-Star, is known for her compete level, aggressiveness and drive — all three attributes that the Dream could use some help with. Last year in Dallas, Johnson averaged 7.3 points in 24.1 minutes per game, while also adding 5.1 rebounds. It was somewhat of a down year for Johnson across the board, but in her seven-year WNBA career, she averages 12 points and 7.7 rebounds per game on 44.3 percent shooting for her career.

“I am incredibly excited to coach Glory,” Dream coach Nicki Collen said in a statement. “Her toughness and desire to compete at both ends of the floor makes her a great fit for our Dream roster.  She came into this league as an incredible athlete who scored mainly around the basketball but has added a consistent 3 point shot. Her ability to rebound, handle the ball, and defend multiple positions gives us a versatile weapon to utilize in a variety of fun ways.”

Johnson fits the Dream system in a variety of ways, both as a versatile four and even a smallball five.

As the Dream’s roster begins to take shape for the 2020 season, it appears they’re going after players with size and versatility to increase the team’s success on both ends of the floor. Both acquisitions thus far, Johnson and Kalani Brown, check those boxes and should match up well with players already on the roster, like Jessica Breland and Elizabeth Williams.

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