Beck: Joe Johnson could be on the trade block
With the much-anticipated NBA season just around the corner, some attention is already being shifted towards players who find themselves on the trade block to start the season.
In a video with Bleacher Report’s Stephen Nelson, Howard names three big-name players who could be on the trade block on opening night. Brooklyn’s Joe Johnson was among the three players named.
Here is Beck’s full analysis (H/T to NetsDaily):
“Joe Johnson, while no longer than leading man at this stage of his career, would be a great role player for some team as a short term investment. He’s a free agent next summer. I can see him fitting in with any number of teams that expect to make a deep playoff run and the Nets are in a pseudo rebuild right now.
So for the right offer, I could absolutely see Joe Johnson being moved.”
While the superstar small forward may not be actively shopped, he could be on the move for the right price.
The other two super-star players who may start the season on the trade block are Carmelo Anthony and DeMarcus Cousins.
What readers said at the time
1 reply came in under this piece in 2015, and they are kept here as they were written — the readers’ words, not ours, spelling and all. The thread is closed; the desk does not take new comments.
Gerald Williams20 August 2015
It’s not realistic to trade JJ because Nets would have to take back a
minimum of 16.5 M (24.9/1.5). It’s not likely a team would have worthless expiring(s) in that amount and that contender is unlikely to give up any worthwhile player. Now if Proky just wanted to save some money he could do such a trade. However, with Nets already positioned to be under the Tax, and Proky desiring a playoff birth and even saIts not realistic to trade JJ. He’s making 24.9 M so any trade with a contender would require Nets get back a ying he would go above the Tax if it helped team, then I don’t see saving money as a factor.Billy King has already said he was never serious about trading JJ and that he’d be needed to make playoffs. Now if come February, Nets are out of contention for a spot, only then, would a trade be considered, and likely the goal would be to bring back a quality first round pick (hopefully unprotected). And again Nets would have to take back at least 2 players to make salaries work (possibly a 3 team trade), which means Nets would have to give up at least 1 other player (since Nets at 15 on roster).
There really is no point considering this subject right now. I doubt if BK spends a moment thinking about it (and other GM’s wouldn’t waste time right now, either). First, JJ needs to prove that he still “has it”, but if he does, there is a good chance Nets would be on route to the playoffs.
What is more realistic is the Knicks trading Melo, if his value proves to be high (eg to Chicago?) I could see Phil wanting to do that, but Dolan would want a “star” on the team. As far as Cousins goes, as long as management of the Kings thinks he’s the best center in the NBA, I doubt he could bring back equal value.
Howard Beck is just stirring up controversy, where there is none, at this time.