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NBA Free Agency: Joe Johnson, Utah Jazz Agree On Two-Year Deal

By Mark Suleymanov
Published on: 06:22 PST, Jul 2, 2016

The Utah Jazz have upgraded their roster by agreeing to a two-year, $22 million deal with swingman Joe Johnson, as first reported by NBA’s David Aldridge. Johnson, a 15-year NBA veteran figures to provide a solid veteran presence to a young Jazz team.

Last season, Johnson, 35, split time between the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat. With his contributions fading in recent years, Johnson saw a surge in his production after agreeing to a buyout with the Nets and joining the Heat. In 57 games with Brooklyn, Johnson averaged 11.7 points and 4.1 assists; in Miami, Johnson posted 13.4, and 3.6 assists per game.

Johnson’s field goal percentage also increased after the move as he shot.518 percent in Miami; compared to.406 percentage. Shortly after signing with the Heat, Johnson told NBA that he intended to remain in the Heat red, white, and black colors for the rest of his career.

“The most important thing that Pat told me was that this wasn’t just a short-term deal, that he would like for me to finish my career here,” Johnson said. “And that’s what we’re working toward.”

However, Johnson’s time in Miami ends after just 24 regular season games (and 14 games in the playoffs). During his career, the seven-time all-star has also played for the Celtics, Suns, and Hawks. Johnson’s best seasons came in Atlanta when he was an all-star each of the six seasons he donned a Hawks jersey.

From 2005-06 through the 2011-12 seasons, Johnson averaged 21.0 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game. However, after agreeing to a trade that brought him to Brooklyn, Johnson never quite found the same consistency with the Nets. Therefore, last February, Johnson and the Nets agreed to buyout, letting him go to contender to finish the season.

With droves of players receiving high priced maximum contracts, Johnson’s $22 million is a more moderate investment for the Jazz. Partnered with George Hill, the point guard Utah acquired from the Indiana Pacers in a draft-day deal, the Jazz now have their backcourt settled for next season.

As noted in this NBA piece earlier this year, the Jazz were tied with the Milwaukee Bucks as the youngest team in the NBA (24.1-years=old). Dante Exum, 20, Gordon Hayward, 26, and Derrick Favors, 24, comprise most of the team’s young core of players. Therefore, a veteran presence like Johnson, who also has strong experience in the playoffs, was imperative for the team.

As mentioned by Hoops Rumors, with Johnson in the fold, the Jazz still have the cap space to add one — maybe two — impact free agents. It’s also being reported that Trey Burke, Utah’s former top 10 pick, and starting point guard is on the trade block. After being the team’s starting point guard in his first two seasons, Burke averaged 12.8 points and 5.0 assists through 146 games.

Last season, Burke was relegated to the bench and showed some improvements. While his points (10.6) and assists (2.3) dropped through the 64-game stretch, Burke shot.418 percent from the floor after not eclipsing the.368 mark in his first two seasons.

The Jazz have also been linked to players such as Jared Dudley, Solomon Hill, Maurice Harkless, and Luol Deng. But with the signing of Johnson — and three of the aforementioned players having signed their own deals — the Jazz will look elsewhere to improve the roster.

[Featured Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images]

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