The Celtics traded away a trio of big men on Thursday afternoon — Kendrick Perkins, Semih Erden and Luke Harangody — leaving them extremely thin up front for the immediate future. To help alleviate that problem, the C's have signed D-Leaguer Chris Johnson to a 10-day contract.
Johnson, who played previously for the Dakota Wizards, left Bismarck, N.D., on Thursday afternoon on a flight to Denver, according to NBA FanHouse's Scott Schroeder. He's expected to be in uniform for Doc Rivers' Celtics on Thursday night against the Nuggets.
Johnson, a 6-foot-11, 210-pound center out of LSU, will be the lone big man backing up Glen Davis, as recent acquisitions Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic are not yet with the team. Rivers will have a four-man bench of Johnson, Delonte West, Von Wafer and Avery Bradley.
Johnson will wear No. 86 for the Celtics, taking over Erden's ownership of the uniform number.
