Joe Johnson (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
Joe Johnson could be headed back to Atlanta after the Brooklyn Nets waived the All-Star guard.
The Nets have agreed to a buy-out with Johnson, who had been sold to the idea of joining a contender for the remainder of the season, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.
Stein also reported that a number of teams are interested to add Johnson in their roster, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are determined to strengthen their title-chasing roster. But according to Chris Mannix of Yahoo Sports, the Atlanta Hawks are also high on Johnson's list of contenders to join.
Cleveland already ramping up its efforts to recruit Joe Johnson, but two teams high on Johnson's list, per source: Miami and Atlanta.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixYS) February 25, 2016
Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution cited that persons familiar with the situation believes Johnson has serious interest in a reunion with the Hawks.
Johnson, who will become a free agent once he clear waivers at 5 p.m. Saturday, played in seven seasons with the Hawks, where he was named an Eastern Conference All-Star for six straight years.
The Hawks are ninth in the league in shooting percentage from the field, but only ranked 18th from beyond the arc.
While Johnson's production may have declined, the 34-year-old can still contribute to contending teams like the Hawks, who have been struggling to shoot the ball from the outside.
Johnson is only shooting 40.6 from the field, his lowest since his 2002-03 stint with the Phoenix Suns. But the 14-year NBA veteran's 37.1 shooting from three-point territory could be of help for Atlanta, who only shoot 34.6 percent this season.
However, there are concerns whether the Hawks really have the need to add Johnson. The Hawks have lost Tiago Splitter to a season-ending hip surgery, which only makes sense for the team to sign a big man. But head coach Mike Budenholzer is still open to adding good players rather than filling the void left by the Brazilian center.
"With Tiago's injury I think there could be an argument that we need a big," Budenholzer said.
"But at the end of the day, you need good players. The more good players that you can add to the group, that's probably important. We are more interested in good players than some of what the perceptions of what we need will be."
It would be interesting to see Johnson once again wearing his Hawks jersey, but if Johnson really intends to join a contender, the Cavs should have to be his choice.
