The Miami Heat quickly made their first free agency move following the 2024 NBA draft by signing versatile forward Keshad Johnson to a two-way contract on June 28, as reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic. Johnson, who recently turned 23, played his fifth collegiate season at Arizona after four years at San Diego State. Last year, he averaged 11.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 steals, with a nearly 39% success rate from three-point range.
Standing at 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds, Johnson has the physicality to compete on the front line and the shooting ability to space the floor. Jonathan Givony of ESPN praised Johnson’s versatility and defensive intensity, which align well with the Heat’s culture.
Johnson will likely spend time with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Miami’s G League affiliate, alongside undrafted free agent Zyon Pullin, an All-SEC guard from the Florida Gators.
In other major contract news, star Bam Adebayo agreed to a three-year, $166 million maximum extension to stay with Miami, according to The Athletic. Adebayo, a three-time All-Star and five-time All-Defensive Team member, was a key player in the Heat’s two NBA Finals runs over the past five years, averaging 19.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game last season.
However, Jimmy Butler will not be signing the two-year, $113 million extension he hoped for this summer. Instead, he has decided to play out next season without seeking an extension, committing to Miami for now and dispelling any trade rumors. Butler has two years left on his $146.4 million contract, with a player option for the final season, allowing him to enter free agency next summer. If the Heat do not reach an extension agreement or trade him before the deadline, they risk losing their leader of the past five years without any return.
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