The Brooklyn Nets reportedly want to trade Deron Williams and Joe Johnson this summer. Brooklyn wants to free up cap space for the future and aren't asking much in return for Williams and Johnson, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders.
Brooklyn's attempt at a super-team two summers ago failed, and the Nets are still paying the price for it. Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce are gone, but Brooklyn is still on the hook for Williams and Johnson's contracts - $43 million for Williams if he exercises his player option in 2016, and $24 million next season for Johnson - and already has $58.6 million on the books for this summer. At this point the Nets are just looking for cap relief and are willing to offload either player's contract for next to nothing, according to Kyler.
"It's pretty clear the Nets are trying to change their financial outlook and clean up their books - dumping off Johnson and Williams would be a huge step in that direction," Kyler wrote Thursday. "There is a sense that the Nets don't want much of anything in return for Johnson or Williams in trade and given the amount of cap space some teams will have in July, both become interesting trade options, especially if the acquiring teams can swap a slightly smaller contract for one of the whoppers that Brooklyn is holding onto."
Brooklyn reportedly shopped both players prior to February's trade deadline, but nothing came of it. Williams's hefty contract, history of injuries and dismal production since 2012 make him a tough sell. Kyler reported Brooklyn may consider packaging up-and-coming big Mason Plumlee into a deal if it entices another team to take back Williams.
Johnson has been more productive on the court than Williams, but his output over the past three seasons with Brooklyn hasn't come close to matching the $66 million the team paid him. The 33-year-old guard will be on an expiring contract next season, but finding a team willing to absorb the $24 million he's due next season likely will be difficult.
