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Keshad Johnson has chosen to return to the Miami Heat on a two-way contract despite receiving standard-contract offers from other teams, accepting a significant salary reduction to remain with the organization.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that Johnson’s salary will drop from $2 million last season to $678,882 on his new two-way deal, a 66% decrease. The 25-year-old forward said he was comfortable with the decision because of his desire to continue developing in Miami.

“I wouldn’t say it’s tough,” Johnson said. “It’s a business. For guys in my position, that have been at the minimum, you’re trying to stick around as long as you can and live the dream as long as you can. I felt comfortable here with the Heat. I wasn’t ready to move on. I have a lot of unfinished business here.”

Johnson said a few teams offered him standard contracts, although he did not disclose whether those deals included guaranteed money. Instead, he opted to remain with Miami, where he has spent the first two seasons of his NBA career.

The Heat agreed to the two-way contract with Johnson after he appeared in 32 games during the 2025-26 season. He averaged 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 8.8 minutes per game while shooting 49.0% from the field.

Across his first two NBA seasons, Johnson has appeared in 48 games without making a start. He has averaged 3.7 points and 1.9 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game while shooting 53.1% from the field.

Johnson’s decision gives Miami a familiar developmental piece without requiring the Heat to use one of their standard roster spots. Two-way players can appear in no more than 50 NBA games during a season, limiting Johnson’s regular-season availability but allowing Miami to retain him within the organization.

“I’ve got to capitalize on every opportunity I get every time I step on the floor,” Johnson said. He added that Miami did not promise him a future promotion to a standard contract.

Johnson joins point guard Tre Donaldson and center Vlad Goldin as Miami’s three two-way players. His return also comes as the Heat reshape their roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo following a major offseason transformation.

Miami went 43-39 in 2025-26, finishing 10th in the Eastern Conference before entering the Play-In Tournament. The Heat were 17 games behind the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons, who finished 60-22.