Reports: Heat trade Johnson, Ellington to Suns

The Miami Heat traded guards Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington to the Phoenix Suns for forward Ryan Anderson, according to multiple reports Wednesday. The trade provides salary cap and luxury tax relief for the Heat, while Johnson gives the Suns another playmaker and ballhandler to back up star guard Devin Booker.

Johnson, 26, is in his fifth season with Miami since going undrafted in 2014. He is averaging 10.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 44 games (10 starts) this season. He is earning $19.2 million this year and has a player option for another $19.2 million next season before becoming a restricted free agent. Anderson, 30, earns roughly the same amount at $20.4 million this season, but has a friendlier contract in 2019-20 with only $15.6 million guaranteed.

Anderson has made more than 1,300 career 3-pointers since he entered the league as a first-round pick in 2008, but has played in only 15 games in his first season with Phoenix. He is averaging 3.7 points and 18.5 minutes. Ellington, 31, has fallen out of the rotation in a deep Miami backcourt this year, appearing in 25 games and averaging 8.4 points. He is playing on a one-year, $6.2 million contract.

Ellington's agent, Mark Bartelstein, is already working with the Suns to waive his client and allow him to join a playoff contender, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported. The trade reduces the Heat's luxury tax for this season from $9.7 million to $1.7 million, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

--Field Level Media