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NBA Free Agency: Utah Jazz agree to deal with Joe Johnson

By Brad Weiss

May 3, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat forward Joe Johnson (2) holds the ball away from Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat forward Joe Johnson (2) holds the ball away from Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Utah Jazz agreed to a two-year deal with Joe Johnson on Saturday, plucking the former All-Star from the Miami Heat.

The Miami Heat spent big money retaining the services of Hassan Whiteside this off-season, leaving them with a lot of decisions to make regarding their current roster. One name they will not have to worry about is guard Joe Johnson, who agreed to a two-year contract with the Utah Jazz on Saturday.

Johnson spent last season as a member of the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat, as the Heat picked him up after he was given his release by the Nets in February. A seven-time All-Star, Johnson will earn $22 million dollars over the next two years according to NBA.com’s David Aldridge.

The Jazz have done a good job this season upgrading their backcourt, a weakness for the team during the 2015-16 campaign. They recently traded for George Hill to be their starting point guard, and adding a scorer like Johnson will only help a team that has a solid front court. Johnson will likely come off the bench in Utah, but will be counted on for his experience and his leadership.

This will be the sixth NBA team for Johnson, who broke into the league back in 2001 as a member of the Boston Celtics. He has averaged nearly 17 points per game throughout his career, and with this contract, has earned over $200 million dollars.

This was a nice move for General Manager Dennis Lindsey, as he adds a veteran leader to his nice nucleus of younger players. Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward, and Rudy Gobert are very talented up front, so adding Hill and Johnson gives the Jazz a playoff-caliber team heading into the 2016-17 season.

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