The Brooklyn Nets are looking to strip their roster and rebuild in the offseason. That may or may not include Joe Johnson who is currently one of the highest-paid players in the league. No one dared to check on a price for Johnson in a trade, but several teams could be interested should his contract be bought out. The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of them.
The Cavaliers made one trade at the deadline to acquire Channing Frye who is supposed to help with wing shooting. According to Chris Haynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Cavaliers will still target Johnson if he is available. Johnson is owed $8 million this season. If his contract gets bought out, the best the Cavaliers would give him is a veteran's minimum deal. Despite adding Frye, Haynes believes that if Johnson is available he will land in Cleveland just so the team can add extra shooting power for the playoffs.
Johnson did not ask the Nets for a trade despite all of the loss piling up for the franchise while they undergo a front office change. He is in the final year of his contract, but he has told the media that he would like to stick it out in Brooklyn instead of heading elsewhere.
"I'm a professional, man. Obviously this late in my career, this isn't the ideal situation. But I'm not forcing anything," said Johnson, via the New York Post. "I haven't went to management and asked for anything. I come to work day-in, day-out to compete and have fun. That's what it's about. Obviously this is a tough situation, but we're all in this together."
Johnson told the Post that he is not asking out of Brooklyn, but he cannot control what happens in the future. The Cavaliers are not the only team that is going to target Johnson. According to Ethan J. Skolnick via Fox Sports, the Miami Heat will take a look at adding Johnson as well. Skolnick reported that the shooter would "pique Heat's interest" if available following a buyout.The Heat are another team looking for shooting help. With everyone seeing the offensive firepower of the Golden State Warriors, the Eastern Conference teams are seeking help.
Johnson has been shooting 47 percent from the field and 44 percent from the field. Those types of numbers will be welcomed on any Eastern Conference team looking to make a run to the playoffs. The Nets will take their time with the decision.
