Less than a week before its two-week deadline expired, the Miami Heat have converted undrafted rookie Keshad Johnson from a two-way contract to a standard, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania first reported Tuesday.
As a result of the Thomas Bryant trade clearing another roster spot, the organization had until Dec. 29 to fill a standard roster spot after operating below the league minimum (14). Third-year guard Dru Smith was the overwhelming favorite to earn that nod, though he suffered a season-ending achilles tear in Monday’s 15-point win over Brooklyn Nets. It was a devastating blow for Smith, who was playing the best basketball of his life after coming off a season-ending ACL injury suffered last winter.
Johnson, 23, has been one of the G-League’s most dominant wings, averaging 21.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 13 Tip-Off Tournament games. He shot 54.9 percent from the floor, including 39.6 percent from 3-point range on 3.7 triple tries per game and 79.5 percent from the charity stripe.
He’s consistently been the Sioux Falls Skyforce’s most NBA-ready player, dominating on both ends of the floor because of his multi-positional versatility and budding 3-point shot. He’s a hyperathletic force in transition and around the rim, while also being able to defend at least 3-4 positions at an above-average level defensively because of his exceptional length, foot speed and strength.
Given he now slots into a wing room with Jimmy Butler, Haywood Highsmith, Duncan Robinson, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic, it may be difficult for Johnson to crack the rotation–at least initially. His role and Smith’s role were completely different. So I’m interested to see how Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra navigates the rotation and, more specifically, the backcourt.
