Report: Joe Johnson Expected To Sign With Miami Heat
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Joe Johnson might be going from 14th place to fourth place within just a couple of days.
After his contract was bought out and he was waived by the Nets on Thursday, Johnson is expected to sign with the Miami Heat, ESPN reported Friday.
MORE: Lichtenstein: Johnson Buyout Is A Raw Deal For Nets Fans
Johnson must still clear waivers (the deadline for claims is at 5 p.m. Saturday). However, that seems unlikely because any team that claims him would have to pay the remainder of his $24.9 million salary – only Kobe Bryant was making more this season.
Sources told ESPN that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks – Johnson's former team – were interested, but he's expected to pick the Heat, where he will join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Entering Friday night's action, the Heat are 32-25 and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Nets are 16-42 and in 14th place out of 15 teams.
Before being waived, Johnson, 34, was in the final year of a six-year, $123.7 million contract he signed with Atlanta in 2012.
Johnson is averaging 11.8 points per game this season, his lowest output in 13 years.