NBA: Miami Heat Trading Veteran Forward May Have Just Been Revived

The Miami Heat has opened NBA training camp although one player was sent home for being out of shape. James Johnson failed to meet the team's conditioning standards and will be missing the start of camp.

The 32-year-old forward was deemed not physically ready to begin training camp when the Heat gathered for media day activities. Instead of joining his Raptors teammates, Johnson was told to leave the team hotel, Reuters reported.

“The Miami Heat announced today that James Johnson will miss the beginning of camp because he fell short of our conditioning requirements. Once he fulfills and maintains those requirements, he will rejoin the team,” the team wrote in an official statement.

It would be best to note that Johnson was not fined or suspended. However, it does send off mixed feelers considering the 11-year veteran was one of several names Miami was reportedly placed on the block. In a previous post, it was mentioned how the Heat were open to an NBA trade for Johnson, Goran Dragic, Hassan Whiteside, and Dion Waiters because of their hefty contracts. So far, only Whiteside has left and is now with the Portland Trail Blazers.

The latest fitness issue of Johnson comes as a bit of a surprise. In another previous post, the 16th overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft stood out during Isaiah Thomas' annual Zeke End tournament. He appeared with a slimmer frame and displayed some sharpshooting. In all, it appeared Johnson had worked on himself in general and something that could alter the Heat's plans on him. That was until now.

The good news is that Johnson has enough time to get himself back to shape. It was not mentioned if he would have enough time to rejoin training camp. Either way, it practically brings him back to square one as far as his state with the Miami Heat is concerned.

Miami feels that their previous investment on players did not pay off. They are open to moving some of the high-salaried players in what some foresee as a semi-rebuilding mode. To his credit, Johnson has averaged 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 602 career games. So far, no NBA team has been reported as having an interest in the 6-foot-8 forward.