NBA Trade Rumors: Breaking Down Latest on Joe Johnson, Nene and More

Throw salary dumps, the desire to contend and the necessity for roster space to sign free agents into a pot and one gets the current NBA situation, the most entertaining stew of all.

As NBA teams scramble to fill out rosters in free agency in the wake of additions via the draft, there are some front offices looking to get even crazier with trades.

For some, such as the champion Golden State Warriors, it seems like it's about dumping a bit of salary to provide the roster better balance. For others, such as the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers, the name of the game is rebuilding through any means necessary.

Which teams pull triggers is a different debate. Here's a look at some of the likeliest, what they are after and who sees their name on the market.

David Lee Returns Home?

It's no secret the Lakers want to move David Lee.

The veteran big man only averaged 18.4 minutes from the floor this past season. Golden State wanted smaller, shoot-from-anywhere players to run the opposition off the court and did so.

Lee's playing time and numbers suffered, but the 32-year-old forward still has plenty to offer a team wanting to use it. Bleacher Report Howard Beck revealed the Knicks might step up to the plate:

In many ways, the Knicks make sense.

President Phil Jackson and the front office need a veteran such as Lee to help rookie Kristaps Porzingis transition to the Association. He can also help on the court, as he showed his same skill set as always last year when on the floor.

Perhaps most important, though, is the fact Lee has just one year left on his deal. The Knicks could use the rental to help the rookie and remain competitive, then use the clear cap space to chase big-name agents on next year's market.

Washington Wizards Want Change 

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

It seems right in a way—in the wake of one of the deepest draft classes in recent memory, which was especially deep at forward, many teams want to move veterans at the position. 

Chalk up the Washington Wizards as one. The team still has Nene Hilario on board, but it sounds like the front office wants to pursue names on the market to replace him.

ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported the rumblings:

Now 32 years old, the veteran averaged just 11.0 points and 5.1 rebounds in 25.3 minutes last season.

Nene isn't well out of his prime or incapable of contributing by any means. This just concerns the Wizards' desire to upgrade and the absence of cap space to keep a new name and their veteran; otherwise he wouldn't be on the block.

Over at Spotrac.com, Nene represents a $13 million cap hit in the final year of his deal, which makes him quite an attractive trade target. For teams striking out on the market, they would get a solid contributor and free cap space down the road. For the Wizards, they would receive future assets and less clutter behind a new starter acquired from the market.

Look for things around the Wizards to pick up soon.

Joe Johnson on the Block

Deep in the background of the Association's chaos are the Brooklyn Nets. 

It seems the franchise continues to hope a team will emerge and take one of the gigantic contracts off their hands, a hope perhaps starting with guard Joe Johnson.

According to ESPN.com's Mike Mazzeo, the Nets continue to shop the veteran guard:

The problem is, it wouldn't be a normal trade-for-future-space move, not with Johnson representing a $24.8 million cap hit next season, per Spotrac.

Johnson, 34, can still offer production on the court. Last year, he posted averages of 14.4 points and 3.7 assists, but as he barrels toward retirement, there's no debate whether he's worth such a huge number.

It makes sense, then, not much in the way of headway continues to emerge from Brooklyn. The Nets would like to get younger guys more playing time and free cap space, so don't expect them to stop shopping.

In the end, some team desperate for a veteran shooter or just to free cap space a year from now might come calling. If not, Johnson and the Nets will just need to figure out how to make it work for one more season.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.