Tyler Johnson: Latest News, Rumors, Speculation on Restricted Free Agent
The Miami Heat contacted restricted free agent Tyler Johnson on Wednesday night, according to Turner Sports Analyst David Aldridge, who added they are expected to offer a "more cap-friendly" version of the offer sheet the Brooklyn Nets submitted to the guard.
On July 3, the Nets offered Johnson a four-year, $50 million deal, per Mike Mazzeo of ESPN.com. Johnson is eligible to sign that deal Thursday, after which the Heat have three days to match the offer, per Mazzeo.
Continue for updates.
Loss of Wade Could Be Forcing Miami's Hand
Thursday, July 7
Wednesday night proved to be a costly one for the Heat, who reportedly lost out on veteran guard Dwyane Wade after Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical revealed he will sign with the Chicago Bulls.
It's just the latest loss for Miami, as the July free-agency period has seen Luol Deng agree to a four-year, $72 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, per ESPN's Chris Broussard, and Joe Johnson agree to a two-year, $22 million contract with the Utah Jazz, per Aldridge.
After the first week of July, Miami is left with Goran Dragic, Briante Weber and Josh Richardson as the only players in the backcourt who are guaranteed to return next season, per ESPN.
Johnson saw an expanded role last season, averaging 24 minutes, 8.7 points and 2.2 assists per game with an effective field-goal percentage of 54.1. However, his season was impacted by a shoulder injury that required surgery, limiting him to just 36 games.
When healthy, Johnson gave the Heat a high-intensity option at the guard position, as they also experienced time without Dragic and his backup, Beno Udrih.
Johnson spoke with Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post about his role last season and the difference between when the backcourt was healthy and when it wasn't.
"My big thing is playing with energy, and 40 minutes of kamikaze is hard to maintain," Johnson said. "Sometimes I was getting fatigued, but I was able to go in for bursts and come out knowing I had a guy like Beno who can run everything the right way and get everybody in the right spots."
Unless the Heat have some tricks up their sleeve, it's imperative that they retain Johnson just in terms of depth.
Miami does have almost $23 million to play with this offseason, per Spotrac. That should leave more than enough to give Johnson the deal he wants while leaving some extra spending cash to try to replenish a roster that now has voids to fill.
Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.
