2024-25 Miami Heat Player Review: Keshad Johnson

We are officially one month removed from the conclusion of the 2024-25 Miami Heat season, which was one of the worst since the turn of the century. Over the next several (week)days, we will be reviewing how each Heat player performed throughout the 2024-25 season, recapping important numbers, best game(s) and their future outlook with the team. Today, we will reviewing rookie wing Keshad Johnson, who didn’t get much burn throughout the 2024-25 season.

Let’s dive into it, shall we?!?

• Bam Adebayo
• Kyle Anderson
• Alec Burks
• Tyler Herro
• Haywood Highsmith

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Brief Overview:

2024-25 stats (16 games):

• 2.7 PTS
• 1.8 REB
• 18-26 FG (69.2 percent)
• 3-7 3PT (42.9 percent)
• 5 total STLs
• 4 BLKs
• 71.8 TS%

Once upon a time, I was eyeing Johnson to be a potential second-round pick for the Heat. Instead, he went undrafted, with the Heat snatching him up almost immediately–not long after drafting Arizona teammate Pelle Larsson in the second round.

Even though I thought Johnson was an NBA-ready player exiting Summer League, the 6-foot-7 got little playing time throughout his rookie season. The Heat’s crowded wing room didn’t do him any favors, but the Arizona alum totaled just 98 minutes, spending most of his rookie campaign with the Sioux Falls Skyforce for development.

He was efficient in his limited sample and showcased plenty of defensive versatility and athleticism around the rim. But his opportunity was few and far between, even though he earned a standard contract in late December!

Numbers To Note:

62.5 – Johnson attempted 10 of his 16 field goal attempts in non-garbage-time situations at the rim, according to Cleaning The Glass. Small sample size galore, but his 62.5 percent rim frequency would have led the team. That number isn’t sustainable, but he’s an explosive athlete when he receives any sort of runway to the rim, which makes him an enticing fit–especially if the Heat learn how to properly run a fastbreak consistently!

6 – Of the 16 games that Johnson played, he only played at least six minutes in six games, including 12 minutes in three of those games. The majority of the time he saw the hardwood was in garbage time situations.

Best Game?

In the Heat’s last game of the regular season against the Washington Wizards, Johnson played in a career-high 28 minutes. He tallied 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting and 2-of-3 from deep, adding eight rebounds, one assist and two steals. Miami still lost, but it was the second time we saw a real, extended sample of Johnson on the floor with a few of their other young players who had plenty of leash.

What’s next:

We don’t what moves ensue for the Heat. Ideally, a lane gets cleared for Johnson (figuratively and literally) to get regular rotation minutes. He’s not without his flaws (ballhandling, 3-point shooting consistency), but he’s an incredibly talented, athletic specimen that has the makings to be a wing that makes life for opponents H-E-double hockey sticks. I was banging the table for more of him late in the season (when it was lost), but I trust the Heat’s plan.

Personally, I’m very excited for what he can provide next season, assuming he stays healthy. He should be in the plan to get regular rotation minutes by season’s end, but I can’t say that will be a certainty until we know what the rest of the roster looks like.

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