Brooklyn Nets All-Star shooting guard Joe Johnson drives past former Los Angeles Clippers small forward Matt Barnes in this file photo. (Photo : Getty Images)
An NBA trade proposal recently emerged involving the move of Brooklyn Nets' highly-paid superstar Joe Johnson to the Los Angeles Clippers as speculations are also abuzz that Doc Rivers regrets trading Matt Barnes for Lance Stephenson.
Sports Illustrated published a roundtable article last Friday asking their NBA experts what trade deals do they want to take place this season and Johnson to the Clippers was suggested by writer Ben Golliver.
As Golliver noted, Johnson's "$24.9 million salary makes trading him incredibly difficult" as the Clippers will surely not want to shoulder a burden that big if ever they are interested in the seven-time All-Star shooting guard.
However, he also said that a "contract buyout" will make this deal possible to finally free the Nets for a rebuild and save them from a load of headache in the future as well.
If Brooklyn pushes through with a buyout then expect Doc Rivers and the Clippers to be the first team knocking on Johnson's front door as it is "a clean marriage of convenience", according to Golliver.
The "other" L.A. team acquired Stephenson from the Charlotte Hornets in July, swapping Matt Barnes, the team's starting small forward at that time, and center Spencer Hawes for the uncontainable wingman.
The 25-year-old former Indiana Pacer did start the first few games for Rivers, but recently his minutes had been drastically decreasing as he was relegated back to a reserve role.
CBS Sports reported that when asked by reporters about Stephenson's declining use in his lineup, Rivers simply answered, "He will (help us). Just not right now."
Today's Fastbreak even presumed that the former Cincinnati standout is "making the Clippers miss Matt Barnes" as the 35-year-old veteran would have contributed more to Los Angeles' said to be noticeable inadequacy this season: "three-point shooting and defensive rebounding", both of which Stephenson is struggling to contribute so far.
While the 34-year-old Johnson will definitely not be the answer to all of Rivers' small forward woes, he could be his best available bet to keep Paul Pierce on the bench and preserve him for deeper playoff battles in the future.
Meanwhile, if the Clippers do snag Johnson next summer, then Stephenson's time in L.A. will more likely be short-lived.
