Miami Heat: Complete 2017 offseason grades

MIAMI, FL - JUNE 23: Miami Heat President, Pat Riley and head coach, Erik Spoelstra introduce Bam Adebayo during a press conference at American Airlines Arena on June 23, 2017 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright NBAE 2017 (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5 of 9

Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images /

Re-signing James Johnson

Being a journeyman for the majority of his NBA career, it was fair to wonder whether James Johnson would ever find a permanent home in the league. After a transformative season with the Heat last year, it appears that Johnson has found just that as he locked down a four-year, $60 million deal to stay with the organization.

Like Waiters, Johnson felt the effects instantly upon coming to Miami. The now 30-year-old underwent a physical transformation after being under the tutelage of the team’s strength and conditioning staff. Those effects quickly translated on the court as Johnson became a beacon of consistency during the Heat’s slow start to the season.

As Miami’s campaign started to turn around at the start of the calendar year, Johnson’s improved play began to catch the attention of people from in and around the league, leading many to tout him as someone who should garner consideration for Sixth Man of the Year.

All in all, Johnson came up short in that regard, but still finished with the most productive season of his career by averaging 12.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 76 games.

After experiencing such a career-altering campaign, Johnson now faces the challenge of having to live up to the standard he set last year as well as living up to his sizable contract. Whether the Wake Forest product will be able to replicate that or top himself even further remains to be seen, but more eyes will be watching him now than at any other point in Johnson’s career.

Grade: B-

Home/Miami Heat