Marc Stein: Veteran scorer Joe Johnson is angling behind the scenes for a trade out of Utah, according to league sources. Will be interesting to see if he becomes a buyout candidate for contenders should no deal materialize before the Feb. 8 trade buzzer
More on Joe Johnson Buyout
Mike Mazzeo: Joe Johnson gave back $3 million on his deal as part of buyout, Sean Marks says #Nets
The Brooklyn Nets have requested waivers on Joe Johnson, General Manager Sean Marks announced today.
"The Nets want to thank Joe for his many contributions to the team and the organization," said Marks. "Joe has been a quality professional since joining the Nets four years ago, was a valued member of three playoff teams, and provided many thrilling moments for his teammates and Nets' fans. We wish him much success in the future."
Nets Daily: Another fun fact: Jeff Schwartz, who engineered D-Will's buyout, is also Johnson's agent. Been there, done that.
Marc Stein: Joe Johnson and the Brooklyn Nets have opened buyout negotiations, ESPN has learned.
Marc Stein: Sources tell ESPN several playoff teams (Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland, Houston, Miami, OKC and Toronto) are already in pursuit of Joe Johnson.
The Hawks are interested in bringing back Joe Johnson. And a reunion is a real possibility. The Hawks are one of several teams with serious interest in signing the seven-time All-Star and Johnson has interest in the returning to Atlanta, according to several people familiar with the situation. The Nets have begun negotiations to buyout Johnson’s contract, according to a report by ESPN’s Mark Stein. Johnson would have 48 hours to clear waivers once a buyout is reached. He would then become a free agent.
Josh Lewenberg: Can confirm the Raptors interest in Joe Johnson, but would be very surprised if he chose Toronto over some of the other interested teams
Devin Kharpertian: Sean Marks on Joe Johnson: “We’ll be talking to Joe and seeing what he really wants to do.”
Though the Heat would have interest in Joe Johnson if he gets a Nets buyout, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported he will sign with the Cavaliers if he shakes free.
Brooklyn Nets veteran swingman Joe Johnson is still very much in play for the defending Eastern Conference champions, league sources informed cleveland.com.
Should Johnson, 34, obtain a buyout of his $25 million salary for the season, Cleveland would be his next destination, sources with knowledge of the dialogue insist to cleveland.com.
Brooklyn is aware of the ballpark figure it would take for Johnson to agree to a buyout, a source said. The way sources characterize the situation, Brooklyn has to decide whether they want to help the Cavaliers, or allow Johnson to play out his contract as is. Johnson, I'm told, isn't overly concerned about whether a buyout is negotiated. His primary focus is just playing. A player who is bought out has to be signed with his new team by March 1 to be playoff eligible. Cleveland considered trading for Johnson last summer.
Marc Stein: All indications for weeks have pointed to Joe Johnson not wanting a buyout. We'll see if that changes post-deadline (CC: @Russ Bengston)
However, according to a source familiar with the Cavs' thinking, Cleveland's belief is Johnson does not want to leave Brooklyn and will seek to stick with the franchise on a multiyear extension as it undergoes its rebuild.
CLE CAVS Hunter: How mindful do you think the Cavs are being, when discussing a deal, ab possibility of Joe Johnson buyout? - Steve Kyler: Believe it or not - Joe's camp is saying he's not taking a buyout. We'll see if it changes after 3pm EST tomorrow.
As a scoring, over-used veteran on an underwhelming team and a big expiring contract, 34-year-old, seven-time All-Star Joe Johnson is a prime candidate for a potential buyout, one of the few potential impact players that has a chance of switching teams without a trade. He’s a notable enough candidate that he can’t avoid the rumors. “It’s kinda hard (not to listen to it),” Johnson said Wednesday night about a potential buyout or trade. “It is what it is, man. It comes with the territory. Obviously me being an older player, I’ve seen it all, so nothing surprises me.”
Marc Stein: Perhaps that position changes once the deadline passes if Joe Johnson, as expected, remains in Brooklyn. But still no push for a buyout yet.
One source close to Johnson recently told Basketball Insiders that the 34-year-old marksman is “as miserable as he has ever been” and would welcome a change of scenery.
Andy Vasquez: Joe Johnson admits it's tough with Nets, but says he won't request a trade. Leaves open buyout possibility, though: http://wp.me/p23cP0-Ex - Ethan J. Skolnick: Tax concerns aside, I'm told this would pique Heat's interest
Keep an eye on buyout talks with Joe Johnson in late February. With Brooklyn out of the playoff mix, talks could rekindle. If bought out, Johnson will have a list of championship-level teams vying for his services.
Sources close to the process say that there isn’t a lot of urgency to make a deal before the deadline. Instead, the priority is to get new leadership in place and let the future of the team take shape that way. That’s not to say the Nets wouldn’t do a deal, they’re just not overly active in looking for one. The real question is will Johnson opt to leave some of his guaranteed cash on the table if he is not moved in order to gain his release via a buyout. Today, his side says absolutely not. However, there is a sense that once the deadline passes, that stance could change.
Marc Stein: All indications are the Nets' Joe Johnson, contrary to recent suggestions, presently has no interest in seeking a buyout in Brooklyn. So ...
Where will Joe Johnson be playing in 2016-17? Stein: Not. Brooklyn. That's about as definitive as we can get this far away from free agency. But the more interesting question might be: Will Johnson finish this season in Brooklyn? There are some folks around the league who wonder if the Nets would consent to buying out Johnson after the Feb. 18 trade deadline if they can't move him. The Nets would naturally dismiss any such suggestions, given that they have no other choice but to try to win as many games as they can before sending their unprotected 2016 top pick to Boston. But they also frequently insisted that they wouldn't buy out Deron Williams before ultimately doing so.
