Joe Johnson snubs Cavs, signs with Heat

When guard-forward Joe Johnson was waived by the Brooklyn Nets Thursday, the Cleveland Cavaliers were considered to be the favorite to land the veteran. But that changed Friday, when reports surfaced that Johnson was expected to sign with the Miami Heat when he cleared waivers and became an official free agent Saturday night. The team in South Beach has now made that report official according to NBC Sports Dan Feldman.

Why the Heat over the Cavs, you ask? According to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnaroski, Johnson was more concerned about two things: playing time and earning another big contract.

“His No. 1 priority in finding a new team was made clear to his multiple suitors across the league: Johnson wanted a starting job and major minutes. So now, Johnson choosing the Miami Heat largely for the chance to play a significant on-court role and set himself up for another long-term free agent contract this summer.”

Obviously, the Cavaliers, who would have most likely brought Johnson off the bench while J.R. Smith and LeBron James remain in the starting lineup, could not guarantee a starting spot to the former Net. Although his scoring output has decreased each of the last four seasons, Johnson would have been a go-to scorer and valuable playmaker that Cleveland could have counted on off the bench. So far this season, the University of Arkansas product has averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists while shooting 40.6 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from beyond the arc.

The 34-year-old was in the final year of his six-year, $123 million contract before he was waived. His $24.9 million salary this season was the second-highest in the NBA, behind only Lakers guard Kobe Bryant ($25 million). But, since he cleared waivers and was officially a free agent, he signed a new contract with Miami, one that will still allow him to be a free agent this summer.

With Miami owning a 32-25 record and the fourth spot in the East, they could potentially face the Cavaliers in the second round of the playoffs.

Along with the Cavs, Oklahoma City, Toronto, and Boston were also interested in bringing on Johnson for each of their potential playoff runs.

Losing out on Johnson, Cleveland signed guard Jordan McRae from NBA D-League’s Delaware 87ers to a 10-day contract on Saturday.