Alexander

Johnson

Johnson is a great offensive rebounder with a 40 inch vertical leap and could be a steal in this draft.

The Grizzlies are ecstatic to have him and he’ll add toughness and rebounding for off the bench. “I can contribute right away because I don’t have to worry about scoring. I can focus on rebounding,” Johnson said. “That’s what this team needs -- someone to rebound and (bring) toughness. I know they’ve got scorers. I’m not trying to be that unless they want me to be. I’m here to rebound and run the floor and do whatever they ask.” It’s possible he could end up being a steal in this draft and should see reasonable minutes this season at power forward this season.

The signing of Darko Milicic was not a factor here, and the move to ditch Johnson took many by surprise. Memphis originally had said Johnson was in its plans, but the team believes it can do better. “We think we can upgrade at that position at that salary,” Griz general manager Chris Wallace said. As a rookie last season, Johnson appeared in 59 games, starting 19 of them.

Last year’s second rounder Alexander Johnson has been mentioned as trade bait, while Stromile Swift’s name has also been mentioned as a possibility. Swift has been a perennial fantasy bust, which means he hasn’t been too great in reality, either.

They’re not likely to return to Memphis now, but second-year forward Alexander Johnson and Tarence Kinesy are expected to be back. Johnson’s contract for the 2007-08 season is guaranteed if he’s not waived before Aug. 1 and Kinsey became a household name in fantasy leagues with his strong play over the final month of last season.

Terms are undisclosed, but it’s believed to be for two years and $1.5 million. He’ll help Wayne Simien back up starter Udonis Haslem, but shouldn’t have fantasy value.

He’s likely to be behind Udonis Haslem and Wayne Simien on the depth chart, but Haslem’s name keeps showing up in trade rumors. Johnson is expected to sign a two-year, $1.5 million deal on Friday. As for the Heat’s pursuit of Ron Artest, which would likely send Haslem to Sacramento, Pat Riley shrugged it off. ``It’s strictly a rumor,” he said. “There’s nothing to that at all.’'

Johnson has been a forgotten man, but with all the injuries in Miami, he could actually emerge with a fraction of fantasy value in the second half. Keep your eye on him.

The Heat were awful tonight, with only Wright and Alexander Johnson (10 and 10) playing somewhat well. We don’t trust anyone not named Dwyane for the Heat right now, and relying on Wade is even a stretch right now. The Heat have now lost 19 of their last 20 games.

He’ll get some decent minutes until Udonis Haslem returns from an ankle injury of his own, but probably doesn’t have any fantasy value in most leagues.