The Cleveland Cavaliers are trying to make their own improvements this offseason, and the latest from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst is that the Cavs are looking into a deal for Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Joe Johnson:
The Cleveland Cavaliers are considering trading for Brooklyn Netsstar Joe Johnson with their Brendan Haywood contract chip, sources told ESPN.com.
Johnson has the second-most expensive contract in the NBA with just under $25 million owed to him next season. The Nets are anxious to unload Johnson’s massive salary but are pressed to find a taker. The Cavs, as aforementioned, are just looking to improve. While Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith made their own respective contributions to the Cavs shooting guard slot, Johnson would add a much more potent and versatile scoring option to their offense.
In his report, Windhorst suggested the Cavs might have to consider offering Anderson Varejao’s $9.6 million contract to the Nets to create even more room for Johnson. The Cavs have been linked to David West in free agency and and are expected to commit large money to Tristan Thompson, so in an effort to acquire Johnson, Varejao may be have to be that expendable piece, with David West as the potential fall back.