Tyler Johnson Reportedly Exercises $19.25M Player Contract Option with Suns
Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Johnson reportedly exercised the $19.25 million option in his contract for the 2019-20 season on Friday, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Suns acquired Johnson and Wayne Ellington from the Miami Heat last season in exchange for forward Ryan Anderson.
Johnson started 12 of the 13 games he appeared in for Phoenix and averaged 11.1 points, 4.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds per contest.
The 6'4" Johnson is more of a combo guard than a true point guard, but the Suns primarily utilized him as a point guard due to their lack of quality options at the position.
Johnson helped stabilize what was a major area of weakness last season before a knee injury cut his campaign short. Overall, Johnson averaged 10.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 41.3 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from beyond the arc in 57 games split between the Heat and Suns last season.
As things currently stand, Johnson is in line to resume his role as Phoenix's starting point guard during the 2019-20 season. Other options on the roster include 2018 second-round picks Elie Okobo and De'Anthony Melton and 2019 first-round pick Ty Jerome.
Phoenix is likely to pursue another point guard in free agency as well, with Ricky Rubio, Darren Collison, Rajon Rondo and Patrick Beverley standing out as potential options.
If the Suns are able to land one of those players, it would allow Johnson to revert to a bench role and spend time at both guard positions rather than focus on running the point.
With Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and restricted free agent Kelly Oubre, the Suns have one of the most talented young rosters in the NBA, and Johnson figures to have a significant role next season regardless of how Phoenix opts to address the point guard position.
