Everyone thought that Tyler Johnson would be playing with the Brooklyn Nets after he signed an offer sheet from them worth $50 million for four years. But when Dwyane Wade left Miami and agreed to play for the Bulls, Miami Heat president Pat Riley decided to match the offer and make the restricted free agent stay in South Beach.
The huge amount came as a shock to the 24-year old, and in an interview with the South Florida Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman, he talked about his reaction to hearing the figures for the first time:
“I threw up a couple of times when I heard the number go out there. I was in shock. I even lost a little bit of weight, because just the anxiety of going through that whole process and not knowing where I was going to be…
“I was like almost 100 percent sure I was going to end up in Brooklyn, But, yeah, it's an incredible feeling. And I'm excited to get back to work.”
A lot of people see the developments in Johnson's contract situation as a surprise, maybe even at the same level as Hassan Whiteside staying, or Wade leaving the Heat. But given the extreme spending during this year's free agency and the potential Johnson's game has, it was only inevitable he'd be offered that amount.
After starting only seven games and appearing in 68 last season, the former Fresno State standout has a chance to compete for a starting role and prove that he's worth the money owed to him.
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