A season ago, Tyler Johnson signed a 10-day contract with the Miami Heat. Then another one. Then, eventually, Johnson was signed for the balance of a tumultuous Heat season.
Johnson has grown, between then and now, into a reliable NBA role player. His development triggered the trade of long time point guard Mario Chalmers. He’s arguably Miami’s best 3-point shooter, an earnest defender and a hustle player. With Hassan Whiteside blowing up into a 7-foot phenomenon, Johnson sticking the landing on the NBA stage should not be overlooked.
January 5 marked the day in which NBA teams could begin signing free agents (including D-Leaguers) to 10-day deals.