Guard Tyler Johnson Earns Permanent Status with Miami Heat
For a long time the Miami Heat have been watching guard Tyler Johnson build a case for a roster spot. Case closed as Johnson was signed for the rest of the season on Sunday.
We begin with the auditioning process. Johnson was undrafted back in late June. Then over much of July, teams assemble mostly young talent to play in the NBA Summer League. The rookie from Fresno State got a chance to beat the bushes by working with the Miami Heat-associated bunch.
Enough potential was revealed then that prompted an invitation for Johnson to Heat training camp. Even though the battle was fierce, Andre Dawkins started the season in south beach while Khem Birch, Shawn Jones and Johnson were sent north to Sioux Falls. Dawkins being a two-guard was selected as a better fit initially.
Decision day number one arrived in early January as the Heat chose to cut Dawkins loose before his free agent rookie contract became guaranteed. The open roster spot meant Johnson would get his chance. At this point of the season teams mainly use 10-day contracts to audition players. The rules state that a team can offer a maximum of two 10-day deals before deciding to keep for the rest of the season or release the candidate.
It appears the Heat have seen enough of Johnson’s potential that lingering injuries currently hampering Dwayne Wade will allow for some serious playing time. You can catch some of Johnson’s best work on video below and the full release from the Miami Heat is also available.
MIAMI, FL – The Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed guard Tyler Johnson for the remainder of the season. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Johnson has appeared in six games with the HEAT this season averaging 7.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.33 steals and 1.2 assists in 18.9 minutes of action while shooting 50 percent (16-of-32) from the field and 57.1 percent (4-of-7) from three-point range. He scored a team-high 18 points in Miami’s last game at San Antonio on February 6 and posted 13 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks in a win at Boston on February 1, becoming just the second HEAT rookie to record at least those numbers since Kevin Edwards accomplished the feat on March 10, 1989 vs. Denver.
Johnson, who was originally signed to a 10-day contract by the HEAT on January 12 and then signed to a second 10-day contract on January 29, has appeared in 15 games (all starts) with the HEAT’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, this season averaging 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.00 steals and 34.5 minutes while shooting 48.8 percent from the field, 43.5 percent from three-point range and 80.8 percent from the foul line.
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