The Hawks-Nets trade talks involving Joe Johnson have hit a snag. (Darrell Walker/Icon SMI)
The proposed trade of Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson to the Brooklyn Nets hit a couple of roadblocks on Sunday afternoon, ESPN’s Marc Stein and Chad Ford reported.
First, the Nets have balked at including 23-year-old guard MarShon Brooks in the deal. Second, they worry they are forfeiting future “financial flexibility.” And third, they want to make sure that Deron Williams is on board first before signing off on a deal for Johnson.
The proposed trade for Johnson is part of the Nets’ scramble to acquire another big-name player to pair with Williams in the hopes of luring Williams, the top free agent on the market, to stay with the Nets. The Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard has also reportedly requested a trade to Brooklyn.
Stein and Ford broke down the most recent trade offer on the table. The Nets would send the expiring contracts of Jordan Farmar, Anthony Morrow, Johan Petro and Jordan Williams to the Hawks. But the Nets would prefer to keep one or two of those expiring contracts and instead include one of their free agents — Gerald Green or Kris Humphries — in the deal, as part of a sign-and-trade.
If the Nets can convince the Hawks to take on Green or perhaps Kris Humphries in a sign-and-trade, it would allow them to stay over the salary cap and keep their mid-level exception to sign an additional free agent. Sources say that the Nets have serious interest in Bosnian free-agent forward Mirza Teletovic to add additional frontcourt depth.
Brooks started 47 games for the Nets last season, averaging 12.6 points and 2.3 assists per game.
