Joe Johnson (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
There is a belief around the league that the Cleveland Cavaliers could snatch veteran marksman Joe Johnson from the Brooklyn Nets if a buyout happens.
The Cavs are being linked to trade rumors of dealing for a handful of players, but if Cleveland fail to move pieces before Feb. 18, Johnson's contract buyout serves as a very good backup plan.
Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders claimed that Johnson has been "miserable as he has ever been" and would certainly consider a change of scenery. But his $24.89 million salary makes him difficult to move via trade, which means the only realistic option is a buyout.
"That huge salary makes Johnson difficult to trade, but as seen in years past, him accepting a buyout after the passing of the trade deadline seems a very likely outcome," Hamilton noted.
According to Chris Haynes of Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Cavs are interested in trading for the likes of Trevor Ariza, Ben McLemore and Kyle Korver. But Cleveland also has a backup option pass the deadline if all of the mentioned names would not join the Cavs this season.
"If Joe Johnson secures a buyout in Brooklyn, league sources are adamant Cleveland would 'snatch him up' for the veteran minimum," Haynes disclosed.
Acquiring Johnson via contract buyout makes sense for the Cavs money-wise. Right now, Cleveland holds the top spot in teams with the highest salary at $109 million, and they certainly cannot afford to move half of their roster just to acquire a 34-year-old Johnson via trade.
Meanwhile, the veteran minimum seems only fitting for a 34-year-old who has been experiencing a decline in production in a team losing team like the Brooklyn Nets. This season, Johnson is only averaging 11.5 points on 40 percent shooting from the field.
But despite Johnson's dismal output, he could still contribute in some ways, especially to a contending team like the Cavs. Playing alongside Lebron James and Kyrie Irving could take pressure off of Johnson, settling to a backup role, where his 11.5 average points comes as a huge boost.
However, bringing in Johnson does not look like the Cavs could level themselves with the league-dominating Golden State Warriors and ever disciplined San Antonio Spurs, so Cleveland must still try to trade for someone like Ariza or Korver before the deadline.
