Report: Nets Attempted To Trade Joe Johnson To Grizzlies

The Brooklyn Nets have cap issues and the contracts of Joe Johnson and Deron Williams are two of the main reasons for those issues. While Williams has struggled with injury over the last couple of seasons, Johnson has shown some signs of regression, but that he can still be reliable for the team.

However, Johnson’s reliability may be one of the few things that Brooklyn can shop around to other teams since it will be hard to find a team willing to take the $24.9 million he is owed this season at 33 years old. ESPN’s Marc Stein reported on Monday that the Nets attempted to trade the Johnson to the Memphis Grizzlies, but they could not find framework for a workable trade.

Sources say teams could not find workable trade framework, but Nets came away encouraged they'll ultimately find trade taker for J-Johnson
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 29, 2015

Stein also reported that the Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons also made contact with Brooklyn in recent months regarding Johnson, but trades by both teams have taken them out of those talks. It is a huge contract for any team to take on if they make a trade for Johnson, but having $24.9 million on an expiring contract could be worth it to a team looking for a perimeter scorer.

As Brooklyn came away “encouraged” that they would find a deal for Johnson, this is the second time in the last month that the Memphis Grizzlies have been in talks to acquire a perimeter scorer. Last week it was reported that the Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets had conversations about a trade for Danilo Gallinari, but framework for a deal could not be found.

With free agency just days away, the Brooklyn Nets have made it clear they are looking to trade Joe Johnson, while the Grizzlies are looking to add some scoring threats. Any cap space that the Nets are able to clear up could also help them in their efforts to re-sign Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young.

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