The Cleveland Cavaliers have expressed interest in trading for Brooklyn’s Joe Johnson, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN. The Nets, who are openly and desperately trying to avoid the repeater tax penalty, have been shopping both Johnson and Deron Williams since the season ended. Brandon Haywood’s non-guaranteed 10.5 million dollar contract has been a coveted piece league-wide and would go a long way towards getting the Nets under the tax. However, the Cavaliers would likely have to include Anderson Varejao’s 9.6 million dollar deal, which is guaranteed through the 2016-2017 season — so the Nets must decide what’s more important: getting under the tax in 2015, or having more cap space in 2016, the summer of Durant’s potential free agency.
On the other hand, the Cavaliers could be looking to add a punch at the guard position, something they sorely missed after Kyrie Irving’s injury in the Finals and Matthew Dellavedova’s eventual run-down. But a trade like this, and Tristan Thompson’s inevitable contract, would help the Cavaliers easily pass the Nets’ record tax of 90 million they set in 2013.
Cavs considering a trade for Joe Johnson according to sources: http://t.co/sJ1iuH9mBx
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 5, 2015
