Reports: Stanley Johnson signing with Miami Heat's G-League affiliate after impressing with LA Lakers last season

Stanley Johnson, who was cut by the Utah Jazz during training camp, is reportedly returning to the G-League. Johnson earned a spot with the LA Lakers but was traded in the offseason along with Talen Horton-Tucker for Patrick Beverley.

Michael Scotto has the scoop on Johnson’s next career move:

“Stanley Johnson is joining the Miami Heat’s G League affiliate, Sioux Falls Skyforce, league sources told Hoopshype. Miami has an open roster spot. Johnson shot a career-best 46.6 percent with the Lakers last season.”

Stanley’s stint with the Jazz didn’t last into the season-opener as he couldn’t get past Utah’s slew of forwards and big men. He might have had a chance after Royce O’Neale left the team to play for the Brooklyn Nets.

The Rudy Gobert trade, which many consider the worst in NBA history, brought in players with similar skill sets as Johnson. Utah acquired Jarred Vanderbilt, Lauri Markkanen, Kelly Olynyk and rookie Walker Kessler, among others, for Gobert.

The trade buried Stanley Johnson on the depth chart as he couldn’t even beat veteran Rudy Gay for a spot in the rotation. Gay’s familiarity with Will Hardy during their San Antonio Spurs days may have given Gay the edge over Johnson.

The former Arizona standout, however, is not known to give up. He stayed in shape and eventually got another chance via the G-League. Johnson opened the eyes of many during his short stint with the LA Lakers last season.

On many occasions last season, he even outplayed some of the Lakers’ big-name stars such as Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony. Johnson’s defense, energy, hustle and 46.6% shooting from the field firmly stood out in the Lakers’ disastrous season.

The Utah Jazz may not need what he brings to the table, but some teams could make use of him.

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Stanley Johnson will be perfect for the Miami Heat

Stanley Johnson's hustle, defense and tenacity could be useful to the Miami Heat.

The Miami Heat have been facing an injury crisis since the start of the season. Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Victor Oladipo, Dewayne Dedmon and Omer Yurtseven are regulars in the team’s injury reports.

Butler has played in just 16 games, Herro 18 and Oladipo just two and all three could miss more games due to nagging injuries.

To get enough warm bodies to compete, head coach Erik Spoelstra has played 42-year-old Udonis Haslem four times already. Haywood Highsmith played 19 games last season but has already seen action 17x this season.

Stanley Johnson wouldn’t be the Miami Heat’s worst option out there. Johnson is a blue-collar type of player who will do whatever the coach asks him to do. The former lottery pick will fight for every scrap and will work his way to whatever opportunities he can get.

The Miami Heat have made the most out of Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, Omer Yurtseven and Caleb Martin over the last two seasons. Putting Johnson in that mix wouldn’t be so bad. What Johnson did for the LA Lakers last season could earn him a spot in Erik Spoelstra’s rotation.