Miami Heat can now trade Tyler Johnson without restrictions
By Wes Goldberg
Tyler Johnson plays a valuable role on the Miami Heat, but his contract could limit the team’s future roster flexibility.
If the Miami Heat were looking to get off Tyler Johnson’s pricey contract, it just got easier.
The Heat made a large commitment to Johnson when they matched his $50 million offer sheet from the Brooklyn Nets last summer. Because of the nature of restricted free agency, Johnson’s new deal included the right to veto any trade for a year following the signing of his contract. He also could not be traded to the Nets, under league rules.
As the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Ira Winderman reports, that is no longer the case.
"With Monday marking the one-year anniversary of the Heat getting Johnson back under contract, Johnson no longer can veto a trade. Monday also marks the first time since last summer that the Heat are eligible to trade Johnson to the Nets."
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Because of the way his contract is structured, Johnson’s salary balloons from $5.8 million this season to $18.8 million in 2017-18 and $19.6 million in 2018-19. Johnson is a bargain at his current rate, but the final two years–worth $38.5 million combined–is daunting.
After signing his new contract, Johnson improved his stats across the board. He increased his scoring output from 8.7 points to 13.7 points per game and recorded career highs in rebounds (4.0) and assists (3.2). He’s carved out a valuable role as a sixth man and combo guard.
But the Heat could look to trade him. As currently constructed, Miami won’t have any cap space next summer to sign free agents. According to spotrac.com, the Heat will be $7.2 million over the salary cap, and Johnson will be the second-highest paid player on the team (behind Hassan Whiteside). That’s before possible extensions to Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson. The Heat could create some wiggle room by trading Johnson.
It’s unclear who might be interested in trading for Johnson. That contract isn’t easy for any team to swallow. However, the Nets were once interested; Maybe they would be again. They could use a guard to play alongside D’Angelo Russell and Jeremy Lin, and they have the cap room to pay him. A deal centered around Trevor Booker’s expiring contract and future picks could be enough to get it done.
Next: Tyler Johnson earned his contract last season
That’s all very much down the road, though. For now, Johnson plays a key role and his steady development is encouraging. The Heat, at least, have options.