In a weird way, Joe Johnson’s signing makes the Miami Heat’s potential season-ending loss of Chris Bosh even more painful. Just imagine finally having Dwyane Wade and Bosh on the floor with a 37 percent three-point shooter who can dribble and spread the floor.
One must admit that signing Johnson was a move that many never thought would be possible with all of the LeBron James sweet talking through the media and newspapers out of Cleveland reporting that he was a lock to sign in their city as far back as three weeks ago. It also did not help that it took Pat Riley months to get the Heat under the NBA luxury tax, so the expectation was that he would wait the extra two weeks before attacking the loophole that allows contracts to avoid being punitive damage. But would the former All-Star guard have waited?
No one knows for sure, but Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel threw out an interesting thought. Miami could release an injured player like Beno Udrih and hope that Riley’s “league connections” can convince an organization to claim his $2.2 million and help the Heat dip back below the tax. This would also open up two more roster spots, but who would help is now the question.
All eyes point to the Philadelphia 76ers being the Heat’s financial angels.
As the Vertical’s Bobby Marks pointed out, Udrih’s salary would help Philadelphia get closer to the salary cap floor so that they could avoid being severely penalized for missing the minimum in contract payouts. And the 76ers could sell it to their fanbase as a move that ultimately helps them. By allowing Miami the opportunity to gather enough money to sign upgrades and secure a playoff spot, they would be rewarded with the lottery-protected draft pick that the Heat owed them from last year.
At this point, Riley has to hope that would be enough motivation for a team like Philadelphia to help, because his 10-man roster is simply running on fumes.
