Heat To Sign Joe Johnson

[Johnnydollaz89]

Zach Lowe ‏@ZachLowe_NBA 13m13 minutes ago
The Heat expect to sign Joe Johnson today or this weekend, sources say.

 

[gordontrue]

 

[Arizona_Sting]

Hmm.. interesting move. No more Gerald Green I guess? Deng, Winslow, Johnson, Wade, tons of depth now.

 

[gordontrue]

Likely that the Heat will waive someone today in order to stay under the tax line (the one they just finally got under).

 

[ChrisGar15]

Likely that the Heat will waive someone today in order to stay under the tax line (the one they just finally got under).

Then can the Heat pay more than the veteran's minimum ? (I'm guessing $$ -- and playing time -- is part of JJ's decision.)

 

[gordontrue]

Then can the Heat pay more than the veteran's minimum ? (I'm guessing $$ -- and playing time -- is part of JJ's decision.)

I think they'll still just pay him the vet minimum. Some of the writers are just speculating that they'll waive someone so they don't go back into the luxury. Beno is out for 3 months so it might be him.

According to Skolnick it came down to the bigger role and his relationships with players in Miami... and probably the allure of the living in Miami.

 

[CitySushi]

This move looks like it's specifically setting up the Heat to challenge the Cavs.

The Heat will be able to go small against the Cavs and try to replicate some of the problems the Warriors have caused them recently. They can play either Winslow or Deng at the 4, which opens up some time for JJ at the 3. Also gives the Heat another alternative to Winslow since he's not a threat from outside.

Crunch time lineup of Dragic, Wade, Johnson, Deng and Whiteside could be nice.
Or if they want to go small and versatile, they could go: Dragic, Wade, Johnson, Winslow and Deng

 

[bksballer89]

Hmm.. interesting move. No more Gerald Green I guess? Deng, Winslow, Johnson, Wade, tons of depth now.

Gerald Green sucks. Very disappointed in him. He was about to lose his rotation spot to our 2nd round pick. Way too inconsistent for me

 

[gordontrue]

Maybe I'm not giving JJ or the rest of the Heat enough credit... but without Bosh I struggle to see the Heat as a legitimate challenge to the Cavs.

Is Bosh in the playoffs still a possibility? If so... then I'd definitely give them a punchers chance.

 

[Arizona_Sting]

Gerald Green sucks. Very disappointed in him. He was about to lose his rotation spot to our 2nd round pick. Way too inconsistent for me

Yeah, he had a great year in 2013-2014… then last year he was pretty bad. Inconsistent is the perfect way to describe him. He'll have one amazing game followed by a string of games he has no impact on at all.

 

[Arizona_Sting]

Maybe I'm not giving JJ or the rest of the Heat enough credit... but without Bosh I struggle to see the Heat as a legitimate challenge to the Cavs.

Is Bosh in the playoffs still a possibility? If so... then I'd definitely give them a punchers chance.

I agree. No Bosh no chance. I have no idea what his timetable is either though.

 

[bksballer89]

The Heat can challenge Cleveland as much as Toronto can. Neither team will win in a 7 game series but both IMO can push the series to 6 challenging games

 

[Arizona_Sting]

The Heat can challenge Cleveland as much as Toronto can. Neither team will win in a 7 game series but both IMO can push the series to 6 challenging games

W/Bosh I think Miami is more of a challenge than Toronto. They are a good regular season team, just like ATL but come playoff time I wouldn't fear them past the first round.

 

[OregonDucks]

But LeBron said the Cavs needed Johnson.

GM LeBron losing out on this get.

 

[gordontrue]

In retrospect.. these quotes from LeBron this morning make me think maybe he knew what was coming... which would make sense since LeBron and Wade are good friends and Wade apparently led the recruitment.

“If he decides to come here, it’d be great. If not, then we’ll continue to move on with what we have. If we’re lucky enough to get him, he would mean something to us. If not, we have enough here to compete."

 

[bksballer89]

W/Bosh I think Miami is more of a challenge than Toronto. They are a good regular season team, just like ATL but come playoff time I wouldn't fear them past the first round.

I'm probably biased but I think Miami without Bosh can beat every team in the East in a series except Cleveland and maybe Toronto.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Where's Mamba? ( for my CBS friends)

 

[Arizona_Sting]

I'm probably biased but I think Miami without Bosh can beat every team in the East in a series except Cleveland and maybe Toronto.

W/Bosh rankings

1. CLE
2. MIA
3. TOR
4. IND
5. ATL
6. BOS

W/out Bosh rankings

1. CLE
2. TOR
3. MIA/IND/ATL about even
6. BOS

 

[gordontrue]

So to stay under the tax, the Heat either have to...

1) wait until March 15th to sign JJ

2) Waive someone.. AND have another team pickup that someone on waivers (new team takes over the contract instead of Heat buying out)

 

[bksballer89]

W/Bosh rankings

1. CLE
2. MIA
3. TOR
4. IND
5. ATL
6. BOS

W/out Bosh rankings

1. CLE
2. TOR
3. MIA/IND/ATL about even
6. BOS

I agres with this. Only difference is i would swap Atlanta and Boston