Sam Who?

Bryan Colangelo became the Sixers’ GM this weekend.

Oh sure, it was fun seeing BC turn Danny Ainge into a whimpering “It was the best offer we got” loser in the pre-draft blockbuster trade. Aingey hadn’t been so humiliated by a Sixer since Sedale Threatt, circa 1986 (YouTube it).

The Boston trade netted Philly the best player in the draft in Markelle Fultz, a perfect fit on a team desperate for backcourt playmaking.

But it also left a young and tantalizingly talented team with two glaring needs: a three-point marksman and a versatile frontcourt presence – a “stretch four,” if you will.

Simply put, the Sixers needed a shooter to compliment the array of playmaking, multi-dimensional offensive pieces they have assembled.

Not just a good shooter. Not a streaky Robert Covington, or an improving Nik Stauskas. They needed somebody who can deliver like Mitch McConnell in a smoky Senate cloak room (I know they don't smoke anymore, but work with me).

They needed JJ Redick. At a time when 37-38 percent shooting from downtown is good, Redick shot 44 percent in four years with the Clippers. He might be the best three-point shooter in the NBA.

To put that value into perspective, consider that Redick literally does nothing else. He doesn’t rebound, or guard very well. His assists, blocks and steals are negligible.

But he shoots and scores in a way that changes the outcome of games. Minnesota wanted Redick, as did New Jersey and Houston. Some were offering more years and a lot more money.

For Colangelo to get Redick on a one-year contract is a value deal into which Warren Buffett would invest.

A few hours after Redick signed, Philly announced a one-year, $11 million deal with forward Amir Johnson. It got little notice, but could turn out to be Colangelo’s best move of the offseason.

Johnson is going to bring so much to the 2017-18 Sixers. Hyperbole, you say? Consider that Johnson posted a 5.0 WS (win shares: “an estimate of the number of wins contributed by the player.”) this past season.

That is higher than Redick, whose Clippers also made the playoffs. The Sixers were led by point guard TJ McConnell with 3.8.

Amir Johnson brings versatility. He can play the three, or the four. He can play inside. He can play outside. He can shoot the three (career-best 41 percent in 2016-17).

Amir Johnson brings durability. He has averaged 78 games played the past five seasons. Given the injury uncertainty in the Sixers’ frontcourt, this is not insignificant.

Amir Johnson brings rugged defense. Where Jahlil Okafor played the patrolman waving cars through, Johnson will be the spike strip thrown across the lane. He will do the dirty work bumping, grinding and pushing opposition bigs off the block. It’s his calling card.

Most of all, Amir Johnson, 30, brings leadership. He came into the NBA straight from high school in a bad decision that worked out. A second round pick, Johnson played just 11 games his first two seasons with the Detroit Pistons.

Most players in this situation would likely fade away, felled by scant playing time, dwindling opportunities and the lure of a few hundred thousand dollars in their bank accounts. I don’t know the details of his story, but Johnson obviously persevered and made it.

That he did it by making himself a defense-first player only adds testimony to the strength of his character. I am guessing that Johnson has seen it all and will be an immense resource to Fultz and the other baby Sixers.

We were unsure about you, Bryan Colangelo. At times, you look and act too much like a villain in a bad "Die Hard" sequel.

But even the hardiest Process Trusters have to admit it: you’ve aced this offseason.