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Joe Johnson Chooses Miami Heat After Brooklyn Nets Buyout

By Kenneth Teape

Feb 19, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets small forward Joe Johnson (7) drives against New York Knicks small forward Lance Thomas (42) and power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. The Nets defeated the Knicks 109-98. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets small forward Joe Johnson (7) drives against New York Knicks small forward Lance Thomas (42) and power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. The Nets defeated the Knicks 109-98. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Joe Johnson has picked where he will be playing the remainder of the season at, as he will be taking his talents to South Beach and play with the Miami Heat.

On Thursday, Joe Johnson and the Brooklyn Nets agreed to a buyout. There were rumors that Johnson was not pushing for one, but something changed his mind as he and team agreed to part ways, giving him a chance to sign with a contender. Johnson cleared waivers Saturday, and has decided that he will sign with the Miami Heat for the remainder of the season.

Johnson cleared waivers Saturday evening at 5 PM ET, and shortly there after agreed to join the Heat. According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the other finalists on Johnson’s list were also Eastern Conference playoff teams in the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks. The Cavaliers were thought to be the front runners, but Pat Riley pulled another one out of his hat to land the veteran.

The news was first announced by Micky Arison, the Heat’s owner, via his Twitter account.

Arison is cleary excited to be adding Johnson to the roster, and is hoping that he can play Sunday when they travel to take on the New York Knicks. Arison wasn’t the only person happy with the move, as Dwyane Wade also commented on the move following the Heat’s loss against the Boston Celtics Saturday night.

"“To put somebody on the floor that can shoot the ball, can score in different areas of the floor and make plays, just adds to what we’re trying to do. Joe is a friend of mine. I tried to do my best to paint the picture that this is a good place to be, and the decision from there is his. Make sure he sees my name in his inbox a lot.”"

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Wade is probably happy to see Johnson coming to town as it will help take some of the burden off of his shoulders. With all of the injuries that the Heat are dealing with, they are extremely shorthanded in the backcourt. Johnson will bring help right away there, and could find himself in the starting lineup at small forward with Justise Winslow shifting back to the second unit.

Or, Johnson could provide a steady scoring punch off the bench alongside Gerald Green and Hassan Whiteside. No matter what Erik Spoelstra decides to do, Johnson will help the Heat as they were relying heavily on unproven rookie Josh Richardson.

Johnson is in the midst of one of the worst seasons of his career, averaging only 11.8 points per game on 40.6 percent shooting. He has chipped in 3.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, but what the Heat will like the most is what he brings from the perimeter.

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Johnson is shooting 37.1 percent from the three-point line this season, an area the Heat have struggled at; they are tied for last in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers, making only 32.1 percent of their three-point attempts this season. Johnson will instantly upgrade that part of the team, and is a welcome addition for the Heat.

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