MIAMI, July 10 – The Miami HEAT announced today that they have matched the contract of restricted free agent Tyler Johnson. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We are extremely happy to re-sign Tyler,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “He, Hassan, Justise and Josh have grown together as an exciting, athletic, highly skilled young core over the last couple of years. They are going to have a tremendous opportunity this season and we are looking forward to watching them play together on the floor.”
Johnson appeared in 36 games (five starts) with the HEAT last season and averaged 8.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 24.0 minutes while shooting 48.6 percent from the field, 38 percent from three-point range and 79.7 percent from the foul line. He increased his averages of points, rebounds, assists, blocks, field goal percentage, three-point field goal percentage and free throw percentage from the previous year. He scored in double-figures 10 times, including a season-high 20 points at Charlotte on December 9. He led the team in points two times, in assists twice and in plus/minus on four occasions, including a game-high +23 vs. Indiana on January 4 and a game-high +21 at Chicago on January 25. Despite missing the remainder of the regular season after undergoing left shoulder surgery on February 3, he appeared in five postseason games with Miami totaling 21 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and a steal while shooting 45.5 percent (5-of-11) from the field, 50 percent (3-of-6) from three-point range and 72.7 percent (8-of-11) from the foul line.
Johnson, who was originally acquired as a free agent by the HEAT on August 7, 2014, has appeared in 68 career games (seven starts) with the HEAT and averaged 7.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 21.6 minutes while shooting 45.9 percent from the field, 37.8 percent from three-point range and 74.8 percent from the foul line.