The Nets aren’t in position to make the playoffs, and they likely will not. They are in rebuilding mode, and for them to be able to acquire better players, they need to do a few things. Dump Joe Johnson’s contract and trade some of their better players so that they can get a good draft spot.
Joe Johnson is paid WAY to much to be playing at such a low level. Joe averages just 10 PPG, 3.7 APG, 4 rebounds, less than a steal per game, and he has one block all season. All of these stats are below his career average, but Joe is still seeing nearly 35 MPG. Plus, Joe is paid $24 million to play at such a low level. The Nets need to get rid of Joe’s contract ASAP, so they will buy it out so that they can create more cap space to make trades before the deadline. Also, because Joe is playing at such a low level, they simply just don’t want or need him on the team anymore.
The Nets next need to make trades for young talent to develop. They will do this by trading some of their better players so that they can acquire young talent. Getting rid of players like Bojan Bogdanovic will make the team worse for the time being, giving the Nets a better draft pick, and it will also give the Nets young, talented players to develop into future stars.
According to a recent story by Mitch Lawrence of Sporting News, the Nets GM Billy King has thought about buying out Joe’s contract if he is not traded at the deadline, and the Charlotte Hornets have talked with the Nets about a potential trade for Bogdanovic. Bogdanovic is the Nets leading three point shooter, so he will be a good player to try to trade and receive good talent in return for him.
GM Billy King is conceding privately what we all know: The Nets aren’t making the playoffs. So it’s time to start breaking up the team. So far, Charlotte has called to try to deal for Bojan Bogdanovic, the team’s top 3-point marksman, Sporting News has learned. If Joe Johnson doesn’t get moved at the deadline, he’s seen as a prime candidate for a buyout.
Joe likely won’t be traded because most teams simply can’t take a contract the size of Joe’s. He will be bought out and moved on to free agency for somebody else to pick him up at a lower price likely. As for a trade with the Hornets, this could be a good move for the Nets if they make the right trade. They should look to acquire a young guard such as Aaron Harrison and a first round pick. The Nets will definitely be sellers at the trade deadline, but they need to make the right decisions so that they can rebuild the right way and be back in playoff contention in a few seasons.
