Miami Heat: A crowded backcourt may call for moving Tyler Johnson
The Miami Heat have a heavy backcourt rotation with Dion Waiters and Tyler Johnson in the mix.
When Dwyane Wade entered the 2018 NBA offseason, he obscured any intent of returning for his 16th season. Wade assured however, he’d play only for the Miami Heat for the remainder of his career, the length of which is uncertain.
"“Fresh off this NBA season, my 15th year, I sit back and think about that,” Wade told ESPN. Then I dive and throw myself into my family. They’re next on my bucket list, making sure I’m there for them. And when it comes to the basketball side of it, which is a long time away from now, then I’ll think about that.”"
Compared to his last full season with Miami, Wade’s role upon returning last February was reduced. He came off the bench for just 22 minutes per game down from 30 in the 2015-16 season. Still, he played an integral function in leading the Heat’s late game pushes, knocking down shots like calendars read “2006”.
A 6-foot-4 shooting guard, Wade naturally slotted into Miami’s backcourt playing most often alongside Wayne Ellington. Their backcourt combination was appropriate: Wade covered for Ellington’s offensive deficiencies and vice-versa. Leaving ball-handling to Wade left Ellington to focus on shooting, and Ellington’s shooting meant Wade need not chuck 3’s. At least on paper, it was a match made in heaven.
Unfortunately, Ellington’s future with Miami is not guaranteed.
His marksmanship, which culminated in an appearance in the 2018 NBA All-Star 3-point shooting contest and a Heat record for 3’s made in a season, will run his price up come July. Ellington will certainly be missed if he can’t re-sign, although it would make room in Miami’s crowded backcourt.
If Wade returns, he’s likely resuming his play off the bench in accordance with head coach Erik Spoelstra’s dictum.
That leaves Goran Dragic, Tyler Johnson and Dion Waiters to share the remaining minutes. Add to that bunch the possibility of Josh Richardson sliding down to the shooting guard spot and Justise Winslow playing backup point guard, and Miami has itself a conundrum.
Realistically, Miami’s fondness for positionless play yields some leeway here. Waiters isn’t solely available as a shooting guard anymore than Winslow is strictly bound to small forward.
However, unless Spoesltra is ready to commit to small-ball, someone has to go.
This season, four of the Heat’s five most played lineups were bolstered by Dragic running the point. Miami’s offense often stagnated if only because it lacked a primary option during droughts. Shuffling around the remaining guards is fine for a mid-season refresher, but will likely keep such limits on the roster’s effectiveness.
Johnson, who played 72 games this year, began the season off the bench. By mid-December he was starting, only to bounce between both roles for the season’s duration. Needless to say, Johnson regressed from his contract-earning self, fueling naysayers who loathe the $50 million contract extension he signed in 2016.
Keeping Johnson then is a high risk, high reward situation. At his best, he shows shades of Wade, cruising through the lane, ignorant of his relatively small stature. His accompanying price tag will outweigh those rewards though, especially if he fails to find a rhythm as happened this season.
Waiters then, even with his surgically repaired ankle and half-year hiatus from organized play, becomes Miami’s prime choice in the backcourt with Dragic.
In his 30-game sample size, Waiters’ offense proved reliable, more so than Johnson. Waiters’ high-arcing shot stopped hearts en route to the hoop, but his ability to choose his spots shouldered the scoring burden for an often indecisive Heat team.
Shedding Johnson’s behemoth contract isn’t an easy feat, though if Miami can acquire an expiring deal, it’d de-fog their long-range binoculars. The Heat are held hostage by their salaries for the next two seasons, and any added wiggle room can provide a cushion for the inevitable post-Wade reconstruction.
As an undrafted guard from Fresno State, Johnson entered the league with a safe outlook. In four seasons he earned the confidence of Spoelstra and team president Pat Riley before slamming a brick wall of anti-productivity.
Without any major offseason moves, keeping Johnson for at least one season wouldn’t be the worst thing. Another year in Miami red, could increase his trade stock or better yet, reassert his role as one of the Heat’s key contributors.
But if Miami plans to make a bigger splash in the 2019 playoffs by acquiring a star player, finding a new home for Johnson and riding with Waiters could be the best, if not only answer.
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