Joe Johnson to sign with Miami Heat
Several reports indicate that seven-time All-Star Joe Johnson will sign with the Miami Heat.
Update, 2/27: The Miami Heat have made it official. The team announced they signed Joe Johnson just minutes after he cleared waivers Saturday.
Multiple sources are reporting that Joe Johnson has agreed to a deal with the Miami Heat.
The Brooklyn Nets waived shooting guard Joe Johnson on Thursday after the two sides agreed to a buyout. It’s likely Johnson agreed to the buyout in order to contend for a title. At 34, the seven time All-Star has never won a championship.
The Heat are dark horse contenders for a title, with the Cleveland Cavaliers being the prohibitive favorites to win the Eastern Conference. Initial speculation assumed Johnson would sign with the Caviliers. LeBron James has stated that he wants Johnson to sign with the Cavs.
However, on Friday afternoon, multiple reports surfaced that Johnson favors the Heat. One reason is that Johnson would get more playing time in Miami. The Heat have have lost guards Beno Udrih and Tyler Johnson for the season, while Gerald Green is in a scoring slump.
Source: Miami Heat have emerged as the frontrunner to sign Joe Johnson. JJ feels he'd have a larger role & more meaningful minutes with Heat
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) February 26, 2016
Can confirm reports that Miami is in the lead for Joe Johnson. Was just given a very high percentage that he's coming
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) February 26, 2016
Later in the afternoon reports surfaced that a deal was all but done. Reporters Shams Charania and Chris Haynes reported that Johnson is going to sign with the Heat. Zach Lowe concurred the same.
Free agent Joe Johnson has committed to a deal with the Miami Heat after he clears waivers, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 26, 2016
The Heat expect to sign Joe Johnson today or this weekend, sources say.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) February 26, 2016
However, Sam Amico reports that Johnson to the Heat may be premature:
"One league source strongly refuted that report, telling Amico Hoops “that information had to have come from (Heat president) Pat Riley — the same guy that probably told ESPN LeBron was upset about (Cavs owner) Dan Gilbert’s letter a few hours before LeBron returned to the Cavs."
Johnson is averaging 11.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists while playing 33.9 minutes per game.