NBA Trade Rumors: Nets Make D-Will, ISO Joe, Lopez Available
The Brooklyn Nets have the single highest payroll in the NBA. With an 8-11 record through its first 19 games, that’s troubling news for Brooklyn and the front office, which invested significant time, money and energy into forming a championship contender.
The core of the Nets’ roster includes point guard Deron Williams, shooting guard Joe Johnson and center Brook Lopez.
According to Marc Stein and Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN, every one of those players can now be found on the trading block.
Story going online now co-scribed with @NotoriousOHM: ESPN sources say Nets have made D-Will, Brook Lopez & Joe Johnson available via trade
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 9, 2014
That’s what you call a major move.
A major reason for this decision is the financial burden that each player is responsible for. In 2014-15, Johnson is due $23.2 million, Williams will see approximately $19.8 million and Lopez earns just over $15.7 million
Johnson and Lopez become free agents in 2016, while Williams is under contract through 2016-17.
Both Johnson and Williams rank in the Top 10 in the NBA in salary. Johnson, 33, was an All-Star in 2014, but he hasn’t made an All-NBA appearance since he was selected to the Third Team in 2010.
Williams, 30, hasn’t been an All-Star since 2012.
Lopez, an All-Star in 2013, is one of the most productive big men in basketball. The 26-year-old also missed at least 65 games in two of the previous three seasons due to a recurring foot injury.
Lopez missed the entire 2014 preseason to a foot injury, as well.
His quality of play is established and admired, but Lopez’s health is a major question mark. The same goes for Williams, who missed 18 games in 2013-14 and hasn’t been fully healthy at many points of his Broklyn tenure.
It’s unclear which teams could serve as potential suitors, but both health and contract concerns will come into play. At 33 years old, Johnson’s age could also be a deciding factor in whether or not he’s moved.
When healthy, all three players hold value. Williams is averaging 17.1 points and 6.5 assists, Lopez is posting 16.1 points per game and Johnson checks in at a healthy 15.7 points per contest.
The question is, will any team be willing to take on their massive deals?