NBA Trade Rumors: Hawks and Nets Reportedly Working on Trade for Joe Johnson

The Brooklyn Nets have six players on their current roster and are on the verge of working with $44 million under the cap as free agency begins in just a few hours.

Brooklyn's No. 1 goal at this point is to make sure they don't lose out on the sweepstakes for All-Star point guard Deron Williams—who spent the last season and a half with the club in New Jersey.

With Williams planning to meet with the Nets and the Dallas Mavericks on Monday in New York City, Brooklyn is already working to try and find a way to keep Williams in New York for the next five years.

According to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nets are currently in discussion with the Atlanta Hawks about a potential trade that would send Joe Johnson to Brooklyn in an attempt to lure Williams to return to the Nets.

"

Brooklyn and Atlanta are engaged in talks on a possible Joe Johnson trade, sources tell Y! Nets plan would be to pair with Deron Williams.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 1, 2012"

"

Both Hawks and Nets are engaged in talks on several fronts. No deal close on Johnson, but sides have gone back and forth on possibility.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 1, 2012"

In the free agency bonanza of 2010, Johnson was one of the marquee free agents that many teams wanted. However, the Hawks more than paid for the All-Star's service, signing him to a six-year, $119 million contract.

Still ranking as one of the more absurd contracts in NBA history, Johnson is still owed over $89 million over the next four years, along with being owed $19,752,645 for the upcoming 2012-13 season.

The Nets are looking at all options to try and find the right pieces to fit around Williams, but going with Johnson and his contract may be a bit of a stretch—especially if their ultimate goal is to bring Dwight Howard to Brooklyn.

There is no word on what the Nets would offer to take on that contract, but be sure to check your rumor mills in the coming hours and days.

Things are getting very interesting.