Which doesn't make any sense.
The Detroit Pistons are still within striking distance of the playoffs, so there's a school of thought that they'll make a push to make the postseason for the first time since 2009. That may explain why the Pistons called the Nets about veteran shooting guard Joe Johnson, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN New York.
It's unclear whether discussions progressed beyond a simple phone call, which is common during trade season. The Nets have been looking to unload Johnson and Deron Williams all season and only recently took Brook Lopez off the market, depending on who you believe. The Pistons surged initially after waiving Josh Smith, but have fallen back, going 4-7 in their last 11 games.
It's not immediately clear which players would go back to Brooklyn in a trade scenario. Johnson is one of the highest-paid players in the league, making $23.2 million this year and $24.9 million next season.
Why this rumor makes sense
The Pistons do want to make the playoffs. Head coach Stan Van Gundy is also the team's president of basketball operations, and teams that have the same person in both roles can be prone to short-term thinking. Some have even argued the decision to release Smith was a poor one despite the team's initial success because he represents dead cap money until 2020.
Johnson will surely help the Pistons on the wing. His production is down, but he's still a reliable shooter, playmaker and post-up man that commands double teams. Detroit is currently relying on the green Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the limited Kyle Singler in the starting lineup, with sharpshooter Jodie Meeks coming off the bench. Johnson would be an upgrade on that trio without considering his massive salary.
Why this rumor doesn't make sense
Our Pistons blog says it all:
This makes no sense. Someone please explain RT @RealGM: Pistons Make Trade Call To Nets On Joe Johnson -- http://t.co/l4mhboA1OX
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) February 17, 2015
I don't even think Pistons have enough salary to deal for Johnson considering Smith gone and Monroe would nix trade
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) February 17, 2015
Try and come up with $24 million in salary required to trade for Joe Johnson. Detroit can't do it.
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) February 17, 2015
Detroit bragged about the benefit of stretching Smith because it created significant cap room this summer. Not ditching that for Johnson
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) February 17, 2015
If Pistons trade for Johnson then they literally have no avenue to replace Monroe if he leaves. Cap space would be tied up one more year.
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) February 17, 2015
Why Pistons would want to delay cap space until 2016 makes no sense becuz EVERYONE will have cap room in 2016.
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) February 17, 2015
Likelihood: 1.5 out of 10
The trade deadline causes teams to do desperate things, but the idea of Joe Johnson with the Pistons is absurd.
from SBNation.com - All Posts http://ift.tt/1vd7oef
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