Miami Signs a five star player two-way contract from the Arizona Wildcats.
After the 2024 NBA draft, the Miami Heat didn’t take long to make their first free agency acquisition.
Following the conclusion of the second round, Miami signed Keshad Johnson to a two-way contract on Thursday, June 28, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Johnson played his fifth collegiate season for the Arizona Wildcats in 2023–24 after spending his first four years of college with San Diego State. Johnson turned 23 little over a week ago.
Johnson had an 11.5 point average. In addition to grabbing 5.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 steals in his final season, he made nearly 39% of his 3-pointers, while trying a career-high 2.6 per game. Two years ago, Johnson’s height and weight were described by SDSU as 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds, indicating that he possesses the physical strength to take on opponents in the league on the front line and the precision and range to spread the field offensively.
On his Draft Express X account, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony expressed his admiration for Johnson in a way that resonates with the notorious Heat culture.
“With his outside shooting, passing, explosiveness, and constant physicality and defensive intensity, Keshad Johnson brings plug-and-play, two-way versatility to the game,” Givony said.
Johnson will probably play some games with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Miami’s G League club. Zyon Pullin, an undrafted free agent who played guard for the Florida Gators last season and was an All-SEC selection, will be joining him.
The Heat’s two most significant contract announcements, however, concerned a deal that was finalized with superstar Bam Adebayo and one that looks unlikely to be finalized anytime soon between the team and its captain Jimmy Butler.
According to The Athletic, Adebayo consented to sign a maximum $166 million three-year agreement on Wednesday in order to stay in Miami.
The Miami center has been an All-Star three times and was selected to one of the NBA’s All-Defensive Teams five times. According to Basketball Reference, he averaged 19.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game the previous season. Over the previous five years, he has played a significant role in two Heat trips to the NBA Finals.
Butler, meantime, has said that he will not be looking for an extension anywhere this offseason and will not receive the two-year, $113 million contract he had hoped for from the Heat this summer.
Because there is no deal, “his decision to play out next season commits him to Miami and clears up any notion of a trade demand,” Shams Charania of The Athletic said on Wednesday. “League sources said Butler has a fondness for Miami and has desired to remain with the Heat.”
The Heat may still pursue Butler even if he decides not to pursue a trade. With a player option in the last season of his $146.4 million contract, Butler will be able to leave the company next summer and become a free agent.
