The Brooklyn Nets set the price-point high for combo guard Tyler Johnson, and it got him a $50 million deal from the Miami Heat.
Sean Marks had a productive summer as the first-year GM for the Brooklyn Nets. He reigned in Jeremy Lin, and almost pulled off two more signings with Allen Crabbe of Portland and Tyler Johnson from the Heat.
Unfortunately for Nets fans, both guys remained with their original teams, but it led to both earning big contracts — so kudos to them for getting what they’re worth.
Brooklyn offered Johnson a four-year, $50 million deal before the Miami Heat swooped in and — shockingly — matched it. The combo guard spent his first two seasons with Miami and put up decent numbers in limited time last year.
Although Johnson didn’t ink a deal with the Nets, he was undeniably thankful for the contract they offered him.
“I could tell from the get-go that they were very interested,” said Johnson to the Florida Sun-Sentinel. “And they were working with me very well during contract negotiations. So, yeah, I’m very appreciative of what they did and setting that price point, for sure.”
His statement is coming before the Nets and Heat face off in a preseason game at American Airlines Arena on Tuesday night. Brooklyn sits at 1-1 so far after their recent loss to the crosstown rival Knicks.
It won’t do any good to cry over spilled milk, but Johnson would’ve fit very nicely into Brooklyn’s system had he elected to sign.
The first benefit he brings is the ability to play both guard positions, and that would’ve alleviated some of the backcourt issues the Nets are experiencing. The backups at the one and the two aren’t concrete yet, and Johnson showed last year that he could play that role with no issues.
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Next up is his ability to shoot, and Johnson was one of the best marksmen on a Heat team that was atrocious from downtown. With a clip of 38 percent, the 24-year-old was the third best shooter on the Heat last year (or the fourth, depending on whether or not you want to include Chris Andersen).
Brooklyn has looked much improved from behind the arc so far, and Johnson would’ve only added an extra weapon.
Furthermore, he can play inside the arc and has a complete game from mid-range and in the paint. There’s no reluctance to go to the hole, and Johnson balances that out with a mid-range jumper that he nails at a 47.5 percent clip, according to NBA.com.
He’s also a decent defender, and it never hurts to have guys who can lock up on the perimeter.
