How Joe Johnson to Brooklyn Nets Would Impact Dwight Howard

In the first major development of the 2012 NBA free agency period, the Brooklyn Nets appear to be closing in on a deal that would land them All-Star shooting guard Joe Johnson. According to David Aldridge of NBA.com, the trade appears to be one-sided from a talent perspective.

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Breaking: Nets "very close" to acquiring Joe Johnson from Hawks for Farmar, Petro, Morrow, Williams, Stevenson and protected pick (Houston).

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"— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 2, 2012"

Marc Stein of ESPN.com confirmed this story.

At first glance, the only significant names that the Nets would be giving up are sharpshooter Anthony Morrow and backup point guard Jordan Farmar. The rest of the players all averaged less than 20 minutes per game, Williams, for the record, is not Deron Williams; it is young big man Jordan Williams.

Considering this is all for a star player with All-Star experience, the deal looks like a big-time win for the Nets on paper. Unfortunately, championship teams aren't built on paper.

While the potential quality of the Nets' play should bring excitement to Brooklynites and Nets fans alike, Johnson's salary should bring a headache. The acquisition of Joe Johnson all but eliminates the Nets from the Dwight Howard sweepstakes, as his $123.7 million deal has three more years remaining on it.

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If Hawks-Nets deal goes through, Nets are no longer in race for Dwight Howard. Cap room for D12 will be gone.

— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 2, 2012"

This beckons the question that both Dwight Howard and the Brooklyn Nets did not want to face: what's next if the Nets can't get D-12?

In all likelihood, the Nets will be stuck in the same situation that the Hawks have been in. Should the Nets also re-sign Brook Lopez, too much of their funds will be tied up in three players as Johnson and Williams join with big deals of their own.

As Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Al Horford have shown us, a great three isn't enough.

While depth is available, how deep can they go with the financial bind they'd find themselves under? The answer is simple: not very far. This leaves the Nets as playoff contenders with a solid core but very little to put around them. Most importantly, it knocks them out of contention for Dwight Howard's services.

Per a report via ESPN, the deal is happening.