NBA Rumors: Latest Trade Buzz on Joe Johnson, Jamal Crawford and More
NBA free-agency fireworks have largely concluded (hurry up and sign your deal, LeBron), but action on the trade market is just starting to heat up.
And with the Cleveland Cavaliers willing to absorb seemingly any salary in order to defend their Eastern Conference crown and compete for an NBA title, possibilities that would have been unthinkable a few weeks ago are starting to become more viable by the day.
With veteran scorers and creators like Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford starting to circle the rumor mill, here's a rundown of the latest trade rumblings from across the Association.
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Cleveland Chasing Joe Johnson?
The Cleveland Cavaliers agreed to terms with Iman Shumpert on a four-year, $40 million deal during the early days of free agency, but further reinforcements at shooting guard may be on the way.
"The Cleveland Cavaliers are considering trading for Brooklyn Nets star Joe Johnson with their Brendan Haywood contract chip," ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst wrote, citing sources.
Theoretically, it's a move that works for both sides.
The final year of Haywood's deal is non-guaranteed at $10.5 million for next season if he's waived before August 1, according to BasketballInsiders.com, which means the Brooklyn Nets could reduce their luxury tax bill significantly by flipping Joe Johnson.
"The Nets are actively looking to move Johnson to reduce their tax burden this upcoming season as they are facing paying the repeater tax, which would be the most punitive luxury penalty in league history," Windhorst wrote.
According to Spotrac.com, Johnson's $24.9 million salary is slated to be the second-highest for the 2015-16 season behind Kobe Bryant ($25 million).
However, Windhorst notes that Cleveland would need to send more Brooklyn's way to acquire the seven-time All-Star, and that Brazilian big Anderson Varejao could be a logical addition to the Cavaliers' package.
"Varejao is beloved by the organization, and particularly LeBron James," CBSSports.com's Matt Moore wrote. "He's a career-long Cavalier and was a big part of helping bring James back. The Cavs' players, including Tristan Thompson, Kyrie Irving and James all praised Varejao during their Finals run for what he brought to the team in terms of leadership. Moving him would be tough."
Tough as it may be, parting with Varejao and clearing up a crowded frontcourt could be for the best.
According to HoopsStats.com, Cleveland ranked 25th in scoring at shooting guard last season with 17.3 points per game. Cavaliers 2-guards also ranked 23rd in field-goal shooting with a conversion rate of 40.6 percent.
...And Jamal Crawford?
If the Cavaliers are looking for a more straightforward deal involving Haywood's contract, another veteran shooting guard could make more sense.
ESPN.com's Marc Stein explains:
"Given complexities of the Joe Johnson talks, sources say Cavs looking into the prospect of a simpler deal headlined by Crawford and Haywood
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 6, 2015"
Since acquiring Johnson would require multiple moving parts to make salaries match, a Haywood-for-Jamal Crawford swap has more merit logistically.
The Clippers need to clear cap space in order to acquire a viable starting center after DeAndre Jordan bolted for the Dallas Mavericks, and clearing the $5.7 million Crawford's slated to make next season could make that pursuit exponentially easier.
"I can't worry about stuff I can't control," Crawford said when he was rumored to be on the market prior to the February deadline, according to the Los Angeles Times' Melissa Rohlin. "I just have to do my job and be as professional as possible."
The 35-year-old microwave scorer has never been particularly efficient, but Cleveland needs more perimeter scoring threats with J.R. Smith still exploring his options as an unrestricted free agent.
Last season, Crawford shot 39.6 percent from the field and 32.7 percent from three while averaging 15.8 points and drilling a shade over 90 percent of his free throws.
Swaggy on the Block
The Los Angeles Lakers have taken on serious salary in recent days.
By trading for Roy Hibbert ($15.5 million) and acquiring reigning Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams (three years, $21 million), the Lakers have pushed their 2015-16 cap number to $60.6 million, according to BasketballInsiders.
Thus, Nick Young has become an expendable piece of the Purple and Gold operation, according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski:
On the financial front, Young is slated to make $5.2 million this season and $5.4 million the following year before he's presented with a $5.6 million player option for the 2017-18 campaign. Under the tenets of a rising salary cap, that's not bad at all.
But with Williams and Kobe Bryant already taking up two spots on the perimeter, LA can't afford to roll with those three for fear of defense being played, well, never.
Since the Lakers' desire to part with Young is now public knowledge, it could be tough for LA to extract any sort of solid value for the enigmatic wing. However, if it's merely a salary dump the Lakers are after, sweetening the pot with a future second-round pick or two could conceivably get a deal done.
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