Report: Former Suns guard Tyler Johnson agrees to deal with Nets
Jun 23, 2020, 8:28 PM
Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Johnson (16) drives past Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
Former Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Johnson has agreed to a deal with the Brooklyn Nets, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Johnson, 28, was released by the Suns on Feb. 9. He was originally acquired by the Suns from the Miami Heat at the 2019 trade deadline in a deal that involved Ryan Anderson.
The Suns had Johnson start a handful of games at point guard near the end of the 2018-19 season, a position Johnson wasn’t used to primarily playing.
Coming into the 2019-20 season, Johnson would be back in his preferred role as the third guard off the bench, playing as a combo behind Ricky Rubio and Devin Booker.
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Despite that, Johnson struggled mightily. He shot 38% over 31 games, averaging 5.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists. After Johnson’s rough opening 18 games, head coach Monty Williams gave the likes of Jevon Carter, Elie Okobo and Ty Jerome ample opportunities ahead of Johnson. The veteran guard did not play in 22 of his final 35 games with the organization.
The Nets are 30-34, currently seeded seventh in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn, though, could find themselves in a play-in for the eighth seed if the Washington Wizards (24-40) make a run, with the Orlando Magic a half-game back at 30-35.
Brooklyn goes perimeter heavy with Kyrie Irving (32.9 minutes per game), Spencer Dinwiddie (31.2), Joe Harris (30.9), Caris LeVert (29.0) and Garrett Temple (28.1) commanding a majority of the minutes. Beyond those five, though, Johnson gives the Nets a veteran presence on the end of the bench.
