NBA Rumors: Miami Heat favorites to sign Joe Johnson
By Tom West
The Miami Heat are reportedly frontrunners to sign Joe Johnson, after the Brooklyn Nets bought him out and waived him this week.
After hearing the Cleveland Cavaliers mentioned so frequently as a likely team for Joe Johnson before he even received a buyout from the Nets, it’s surprising to see other inferior contenders join the mix. Of course, it was always expected that multiple teams would be interested, but surely it makes far more sense for Johnson to sign with a team such as the Cavs rather than the Heat to give himself the best chance of winning a championship?
At 34, he’s approaching the last years of his career and he won’t get the chance to contribute to a contender forever. That being said, according to ESPN’s Chris Broussard, the Heat are now the frontrunners to sign Johnson (yes, it’s Mr. Sauces himself, so take this report with a pinch of salt).
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
However, there is more to go on than just Broussard’s report. Ethan J. Skolnick of the Miami Herald has also reported that there’s a high chance of the Heat adding Johnson.
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
If this is the way the Johnson free agency scenario plays out, teams like the Cavs, Oklahoma City Thunder and his former Atlanta Hawks will all just have to be disappointed. If the Heat can make this happen, they land a player who’s perhaps more valuable to them than any of these other playoff teams.
When Dwyane Wade is on the floor, they could really use another scorer who can create off the dribble and be more effective from the perimeter. They lack range and sit a dismal 28th in the NBA in made threes per game at six. Which, given the importance of floor spacing and the three in the league today, simply won’t get the Heat’s offense far at all.
With his 46 percent three-point stroke since the start of January and 37.1 percent mark on the year, Johnson is proving how he can make a difference.
It’s impossible to deny that Johnson’s championship chances will decrease with the Heat in comparison to other teams. Yet, if he’s looking for a larger role than simply chasing a ring, perhaps this is what he wants most. His motives are unknown, but they’ll become clear when his new team is made official.