The Miami Heat won the Joe Johnson sweepstakes in what could be an extremely important addition for them moving forward. Miami won its first game with Johnson on board and he should provide a lot for a team with high expectations. Adding Johnson might not have been the last of their additions though as they have reportedly shown interest in both Marcus Thornton and Briante Weber.
Miami still has an open roster spot even after adding Johnson and they would love to fill it with a guard. Beno Udrih is out for the year after season-ending foot surgery and Tyler Johnson isn't expected back after shoulder surgery so point guard in particular is an area of need. Neither Weber nor Thornton are point guards per se but they each bring something to the table that would be helpful.
Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported the Heat's interest in bringing in Weber. Weber signed with the Heat as a training camp invitee but was unable to make the team due to their deep roster. Weber was undrafted out of college at VCU because he suffered a torn ACL in his senior year but he finished second on the NCAA all-time steals list and is an elite defender. Weber's offensive game needs work but in the D-League this season he has been a triple-double threat every night and his defense could be an asset.
As for Marcus Thornton he officially agreed to a buyout with the Rockets on Friday and is garnering interest from a handful of teams including the Heat, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Thornton is expected to take his time in deciding where he will sign but the Heat seem like a good option for him as he should earn playing time and get plenty of open looks. Thornton is instant offense off the bench and although he is very streaky, he can carry a team for stretches if he is on.
The Heat are already a very good defensive team so, of the two, adding Thornton seems to make more sense. Miami's biggest flaw is its inability to make the perimeter jump shot and although Johnson helps that a little bit, you can never have too many shooters. Thornton is making 34 percent of his threes this season and has made 36 percent in his career. Both players certainly have their areas in which they excel but Thornton's skillset seems to be a better fit for Miami should he choose to sign there.
