8 Players Miami Heat chose to hold on for way too long

James Johnson (2016-20)

Playing for five teams through the first seven years of his career, James Johnson managed to find somewhat of a home during the 2016-17 season with the Miami Heat. He signed a one-year prove-it deal with the team during the summer of 2016 and had the best season of his career in Miami. During that season, Johnson averaged 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game on 48 percent shooting from the field.

Johnson used that career year to emerge as a hot free agent during the summer of 2017. In an attempt to retain Johnson, fighting off offers from opposing teams, the Heat signed the versatile forward to an astonishing four-year, $60 million contract. It was another deal the Heat would grow to regret. Johnson’s production took a tumble in each of the next three seasons until he was ultimately traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves during the final year of his contract.

During his final season with the Heat, Johnson averaged just six points in less than 16 minutes per contest. It’s clear that Johnson is the perfect example of holding onto a player a few years too long, falling too in love with the reclamation project.