Report: Nets, Grizzlies are exploring a potential Joe Johnson trade

The Brooklyn Nets shooting guard is the proud owner of one of the least tradeable contracts in the NBA.

For the longest time, the depressing sadness surrounding the Brooklyn Nets in the past few years could be characterized by Joe Johnson and his massive 6-year, $123 million contract. For his past four years, Johnson was treated like a leper by other NBA front offices, and the Nets’ inability to unload him made it impossible for the Nets to have any cap flexibility.

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That may no longer be the case.

From Marc Stein at ESPN:

"The Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies recently discussed a potential trade to send former All-Star shooting guard Joe Johnson to Memphis, according to league sources."

From a basketball sense, Johnson is exactly what the Grizzlies need. Johnson extends the floor, generating space on the perimeter, and will be able to create his own shot from somewhere other than the post. No one on the Grizzlies roster has the shot creator pedigree, particularly from outside, and as a result, the Grizzlies offense clogs the lane and stunts their efficiency.

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As a player, Joe Johnson is perfect for the Grizzlies.

As a contract, Joe Johnson is as perfect for a grizzly as a bear trap.

Johnson’s cap hit for 2015-6 will be near $25 million. Memphis has very little room in their cap to operate. For the Memphis Grizzlies to grab Johnson, they will have to give up close to $25 million in assets. That likely means Jeff Green, Vince Carter, Courtney Lee and a few more assets – and possibly Tony Allen as well. Certainly Green was disappointing for the Grizzlies, but is it worth it for the Grizzlies to give up their depth for a player who’s impact will be marginal compared to his contract?

The Grizz became a legitimate Western Conference contender by winning defensive wars of attrition, and they could easily lose that in pursuit of a missing piece.

The one benefit for Johnson’s contract is that it is expiring. If the Grizzlies can be comfortable with their roster for one year while Johnson is on their team. $25 million makes that nearly impossible, so it was no surprise that the two teams couldn’t come to an agreement.

"The teams could not find a workable deal and have tabled discussions, but sources told ESPN.com that the Nets were encouraged enough in general to believe that they will ultimately find a trade taker for Johnson’s mammoth contract, which only has one season left to run but at a massive $24.9 million in 2015-16."

It’s absolutely worth it for the Nets if they try to make the trade; they slay their White Whale by giving up Johnson’s contract, and they get key rotation/starting pieces – any two of Lee, Allen and Carter – and a far more manageable expiring contract in Jeff Green.

For the Grizzlies, this is far more of a gamble. They find their missing piece in Johnson, bloated contract and all, but they potentially shed their identity in the process.

[H/T: ESPN]

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