NBA Rumors: Latest on Joe Johnson Trade, Jeremy Lin and More

As some of the bigger dominoes on the free-agent market begin to collapse, it's safe to say things in the Association are about to become even more hectic. 

Jeremy Lin's name now makes the rounds, which summarizes the situation well—anything goes.

Some teams want to trade. Others want to ink free agents for cap space. But everyone involved wants to make necessary improvements. This all while finessing the cap situation so they can make a big splash next year too.

"Chaos" is perhaps the best word. Controlled? Maybe. Below, let's take a look at the most notable nuggets making the rounds as things start to pick up a notch with some of the bigger logjams out of the way.

Clippers Searching for Emergency Replacement

Brandon Dill/Associated Press

With DeAndre Jordan now a member of the Dallas Mavericks, the Los Angeles Clippers will start to search for answers with a massive void beneath the basket next to Blake Griffin.

While it's impossible to know anything concrete about the team's plans given the situation on the market, one would never expect to see a contender such as the Clippers looking to a name such as JaVale McGee.

According to Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times, though, the team will do so:

"

The team was expected to speak with the free-agent center, one league executive said, as well as to veteran power forward-center Amare Stoudemire "in the next day or so." The Clippers have also had discussions about bringing center Ryan Hollins back after he spent last season with the Sacramento Kings.

"

So yes, it seems like the Clippers are in desperation mode.

McGee is an athletic freak who can blocks shots at will, but he's 27 years old and hasn't averaged more than 16 minutes per game over the course of the past two seasons.

Then there is Amar'e Stoudemire, who is 32 years old. In a brief stint with those same Mavericks last year, he averaged just 10.8 points and 3.7 rebounds.

As for Ryan Hollins, well, he's 30 years old and received just 9.6 minutes per game last year in Sacramento.

The Clippers gambled and lost with Jordan. Now, due to a horrific cap situation and a dry market, the front office looks to pull off a minor miracle to solidify the position. Stay tuned.

The Jeremy Lin Sweepstakes

Chiang Ying-ying/Associated Press

The Mavericks don't seem done, folks.

Of course, the Jeremy Lin hype train is also never over. Last year, the 26-year-old guard posted 11.2 points and 4.6 assists on 25.8 minutes per game with the Lakers, flashing enough for Dallas to have an interest.

ESPN's Marc Stein reported the interest:

Everyone knew the Mavericks would be hot after point guards after losing both Rajon Rondo and Monta Ellis, although Lin is a bit of a surprise.

Per Stein's write-up on the matter, one Chandler Parsons might be the reason for the eventual pairing: 

"

Lin's relationship with Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons from their days as teammates in Houston, sources said, has kept Dallas in the race despite its lack of financial flexibility. Parsons, of course, had a huge hand in the recruiting of DeAndre Jordan to the Mavericks in the richest free-agent score in team history.

"

Cap space and J.J. Barea fit into this puzzle somewhere, as does a $2.8 million exception.

Keep in mind that Devin Harris and Raymond Felton are still around, so there is no guarantee Lin wants to join Dallas. He might find better cash and playing time with another team.

Yet joining a surefire contender and carving out a major role would do much to help his career trajectory. It sounds like the Mavericks are willing to do everything they can to make it happen, so keep an eye on the situation.

Joe Johnson to the Cavaliers?

The worst-kept secret in the Association?

Joe Johnson and the Brooklyn Nets. The organization faces one of the largest tax penalties in league history if it can't figure something out when it comes to contracts. In the minds of many, the something pertains to Johnson.

Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com reported the Cavaliers may have an interest in helping bail out the Nets:

"The Cleveland Cavaliers are considering trading for Brooklyn Nets star Joe Johnson with their Brendan Haywood contract chip, sources told ESPN.com."

Johnson represents a $24.8 million cap hit next year, per Spotrac, so it's not hard to see why the Nets are in so much trouble from a cash standpoint.

Kathy Kmonicek/Associated Press

This may sound like the Cavaliers exchanging one bad contract for another, as Haywood comes with a hefty price tag too, but the caveat is simple—the Cavaliers are desperate for help in the backcourt.

While Johnson is 34 years old and maybe not worth the cash, he still averaged 14.4 points and 3.7 assists last season. He's in a steep decline, sure, but when it comes to the Cleveland rotation, he's a better scoring option than Matthew Dellavedova, Iman Shumpert and others.

The Nets are willing to do whatever it takes to shed salary, while the Cavaliers seem intent on doing the same when it comes to addressing the poor depth that haunted them during the Finals—even if it means suffering in a financial standpoint.

Given the numbers, players and overarching storylines, this is the most interesting development to watch in the coming weeks.

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