Tyler Johnson signed a 10-day contact with the Miami Heat out of the D-League and here is a scouting report on his game:

Situation: A summer league standout, Johnson was signed to Miami’s preseason training camp before being cut. The undrafted rookie from Fresno State spent the early part of the year with the D-League affiliate Sioux Falls Skyforce before the Heat waived Andre Dawkins prior to the contract-guarantee deadline. As a result, the roster move opened up a spot for Johnson, who looks to provide some relief in the backcourt.

Size/Athleticism: Johnson is undersized at 6-foot-3 with a slender frame, but is a big-time athlete that can soar for dunks well above the rim. He turned heads during the summer league with alley-oop or put-back slams and continued the highlights into the D-League. Johnson lacks ideal size, but compensates with his athletic abilities.

Ballhandling: While Johnson would project best at the NBA level as a point guard, he’s an average ball handler that may be limited with Miami. He can handle the ball, but played primarily on the wing in Sioux Falls.

Shooting: This could be Johnson’s biggest contribution at the NBA level, as he’s shooting 46.3% from three-point range and averaging 1.5 made three-pointers per game in the D-League. He shows consistency on his jumper and uses ball fakes to create space for mid-range pull-ups. To complement his deep shooting, Johnson is 39.4% from 16-24 feet in Sioux Falls.

Penetration: When Johnson attacks the rim, he’s a potential highlight every time he takes off. His athleticism allows him to finish over defenders, but his smaller frame can hurt him when finishing with contact. He’s shooting 53.9% from inside 5 feet, ranking within the D-League average.

Passing: Johnson has a good feel for the game and it shows in his passing. He’s averaging 3.8 assists per game compared to just 1.5 turnovers. This is an underrated aspect of his game since he rarely runs the offense, but can hit the open man when the ball is in his hands.

Defense: Although Johnson moves well and can beat his opponents to spots, his lack of strength can sometimes cause him to be bullied by bigger guards. He shows good instincts on defense but isn’t the most intimidating help defender. His toughness and athletic abilities help him on the defensive end, but stronger athletes may give him problems. This could be an area for concern in the NBA.

Rebounding: Johnson is always a sneaky threat to put-back missed shots for dunks and is averaging 1.3 offensive boards per game. He also uses his bounce to contribute on the defensive end, totaling 3.1 defensive rebounds per contest. 

Versatility: It will be interesting to see how Miami utilizes Johnson in the backcourt. His game best fits the shooting guard position, but his size suggests he may be best suited for the point guard spot. Johnson usually played off the ball in the D-League, but could see some action as the primary ball-handler at the next level. With plenty of options playing point guard in Miami, look for Johnson to help on the wing.

Final Analysis: Johnson was a near unknown before the summer league, but seemed to take advantage of every opportunity available. He averaged 18.5 points per game in the D-League and could become a fan favorite as an athletic shooter that provides highlight reel dunks. Johnson may not become the long-term solution at the shooting guard spot, but it will be interesting to see how his game translates to the next level. He lacks size, but his athleticism and toughness have earned him an NBA opportunity.