Report: Miami Heat interested in Joe Johnson
The Nets waived Joe Johnson, and the Miami Heat are one of several teams pursuing the former All-Star shooting guard.
The Brooklyn Nets waived Joe Johnson today. It has previously been reported that the Miami Heat would be interested in the former All-Star if Johnson and the Nets agreed on a buyout.
Report: Heat interested in Joe Johnson if the Nets buy out his contract. pic.twitter.com/63vW8JsKp3
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 6, 2016
Now that the buyout is official, the pursuit has begun. The Heat are one of several playoff teams interested in the talented shooting guard.
Sources tell ESPN several playoff teams (Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland, Houston, Miami, OKC and Toronto) are already in pursuit of Joe Johnson
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 25, 2016
However, the Heat may have a leg up in the recruiting race. Joe Johnson and Dwyane Wade are good friends.
If Joe Johnson accepts a buyout -- still far from a certainty -- his friend Dwyane Wade will make a serious push.
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) February 18, 2016
Johnson would bring much needed shooting to the Miami Heat who rank near the bottom of the league in 3-point shooting percentage. Johnson a 6’7″ shooting guard is a career 37% 3-point shooter. The Heat could also use Johnson’s ball handling skills on the second unit.
The Heat would have to wait until March 6 or later to add Johnson to the roster if they want to stay below the luxury tax. However, if they believe adding Johnson can make them a contender, they could try to outbid teams for Johnson’s services by offering him the MLE.
For those asking what Heat could use to attract bought-out Joe Johnson, Miami still has pro-rated taxpayer MLE. But a lot has to happen 1st.
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) February 3, 2016
Johnson won’t be able to sign with another team until Saturday when the Heat face the Boston Celtics.
Joe Johnson is not eligible to be claimed. He will clear waivers Saturday at 5pm. Nets roster now stands at 13.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 25, 2016
With the loss of Beno Udrih and Tyler Johnson combined with the inexplicable decline of Gerald Green, there is little doubt that Johnson would be a key player in the Heat’s rotation.
While the Cavaliers might seem like Johnson’s best opportunity to play for a championship, the recent play of the Heat make them dark horse contenders to win the East.
If/when Joe Johnson is bought out, I'll be very surprised if he doesn't sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) February 25, 2016
The combination of Johnson’s enduring friendship with Dwyane Wade, the ability to offer him significant playing time, and the fact that the Heat have an outside shot to win the East make the Heat an ideal landing spot for Johnson.