Restricted free agent Tyler Johnson will be retained by Miami Heat after reports that the Heat would match his standing offer surfaced.
The Brooklyn Nets‘ initially reached out to Johnson with an offer sheet back-loaded for four-years and $50 million. The final two years of Johnson's deal would have amounted to $18 million and $19 million, respectively.
The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news first that the Heat matched the Nets' contract offer.
Johnson averaged 8.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game for the Heat this season, working his way into a more important role within the Heat's offense through the second half of the year.
Losing guard Dwyane Wade to the Chicago Bulls this summer likely played a huge part in retaining Johnson, and Heat president Pat Riley seemed ecstatic to keep him on board, as he told reporters:
We are extremely happy to re-sign Tyler,. He, Hassan (Whiteside), Justise (Winslow), and Josh (Richardson) have grown together as an exciting, athletic, highly skilled young core over the last couple of years. They are going to have a tremendous opportunity this season and we are looking forward to watching them play together on the floor.
Johnson will likely battle for a starting spot on the team, but it's hard to see him coming off the bench with this much salary committed to him.
As the Heat complete the signing of Johnson, it further complicates their future cap situation, which will force them to get creative or shuffle salaries to remain under the cap while staying competitive.
If MIA matches, they have an extra $6.9m in space now, but leaves them with $67.3m committed to just 4 players in 18’-19’ ($100m cap).
— NBA Cap Analyst (@NBACapAnalyst) July 7, 2016
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