The Nets had to get a guy like Johnson, just so Deron Williams would stick around. |
Atlanta acquired guard Anthony Morrow, guard Jordan Farmar, forward Jordan Williams, forward DeShawn Stevenson and forward Johan Petro and a 2017 second-round pick from Brooklyn for guard Joe Johnson. Traded guard Marvin Williams to Utah for guard Devin Harris.
For Brooklyn:
This move was a must-make type of move. The Nets had to acquire another big name star to entice Deron Williams to stay. Letting Williams go for nothing would have been an absolute travesty for a team trying to totally rebuild its identity. Bringing in Joe Johnson immediately ups the Nets credibility in the NBA and will instantly make them better, but by how much? That's the question.
I like Joe Johnson. I think he's a top tier scorer in the NBA, who at times, can be an elite scorer. However, the 31-year-old is barely a top-20 player, if that. Therefore the 4 years and $89 million left on his contract is absolutely not worth it. That sort of deal reminds me of the days when Isiah Thomas was out there slinging around cash for overrated players, while abusing the luxury tax like it was a joke. Johnson can score at will when he wants to, but he doesn't really bring much else to the table. He can't defend, doesn't rebound or play defense and really isn't consistent enough to earn that kind of money. Helping the Nets get back to a high level definitely includes Johnson's abilities, but it also sort of limits them too.
Bringing on a contract like this (along with Gerald Wallace) ended any chance for the Nets to get Dwight. Let's be serious, Dwight Howard was the ultimate goal for Brooklyn but instead they settled for an overpaid, good player instead of being patient and grabbing the best player available, a franchise changing player. It's like going out there looking for a Ferrari, but settling for a used BMW M3, yeah you're still looking pretty sweet, but you're not wowing anyone. Though, I'll side with the Nets in not being patient for such an indecisive individual as Howard, but he was still worth the wait. Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov said he loved that his Nets forced the Knicks into trading the world for Carmelo Anthony, well Brooklyn just traded four continents for Joe Johnson.
Brooklyn had to make a splash this offseason with their move to Brooklyn and all the trash talking they've done towards New York, and they did just that. But it wasn't the sort of splash they wanted, and while they'll certainly be a playoff team, it's tough to see what sort of difference Joe Johnson can actually make.
Grade: B-
For Atlanta:
This is the sort of "take one step back in order to take two steps forward" deal that could change the face of the franchise. With Dwight Howard ironically in their sights, the Hawks got rid of one of the worst contracts in NBA history, along with one of their worst draft picks in Marvin Williams for a bunch of expiring contracts.
Yes, Atlanta is no longer that second-round playoff team they've been for years, but now they've opened the doors to get even better. Dwight Howard, who's from the Atlanta area, is next year's biggest catch and if hometown incentives along with recruiting from Josh Smith works, the Hawks will be that much better. Even if they don't get Dwight, they have plenty of cap room to make moves that could allow them to break through.
I mean, even if none of this works out, at least you can tell your fans you tried. The previously assembled Hawks were nothing more than a second-round playoff exit and didn't seem to be getting any better. Joe Johnson wasn't anything special like they thought he would be when they signed him to that fat extension in 2010, so you cut your losses and move on.
Don't be surprised if the Nets replace the Hawks as that semi-finalist who can never break through.
Grade: B+
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