Joe Johnson, Cavs Rumor Make Sense?

According to Brian Windhorst, Joe Johnson may become the Cleveland Cavaliers newest addition. The Joe Johnson rumor came out of nowhere when Windy tweeted this:

An interesting report that includes the Cavs trading both Brendan Haywood‘s over $10 million contract that the Nets can waive and long time Cav Anderson Varejao. Those two are needed for the Cavs to bring back Johnson’s $24.8 million contract.

So does this rumor make sense? A whole lot of yes and a little bit of no:

Yes

• The Cavs are looking to add a wing player who can create for himself, hit shots and play defense. Johnson does all of that.
  • Johnson averaged 14.4 points last year.
  • Johnson averaged almost 4 assists a game on a team that struggled to score outside of him.
  • JJ is a career 37% three point shooter.
  • At 6’7″ and 240 pounds, Johnson has always been a good defender, even at his advanced age.
• Johnson is a veteran who LeBron James will trust.
• Adding a wing who can play next to and behind LeBron is huge for depth.
• Johnson gives the Cavs another scorer when 2 of the Big 3 sit.
• While the Cavs tax payment would be huge this year, Johnson could be in line for a small salary to come back next year.
• NBA players struggle to come back from Achilles injuries so the Cavs can have little assurance of what Andy can provide.
• By moving Varejao, David West would have a clear role as the Cavs #4 big man.
• Johnson is talented.
• The Cavs might be able to get a young talent, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson would be nice, or an asset for helping the Nets save possibly $20-30 million in luxury tax costs.
  • Few, if any, teams can give the Nets anything close to the relief the Cavs can for Johnson so they need to use their leverage.

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No

• Varejao has given everything for the Cavs and trading him to the rebuilding Nets a year after extending his contract is tough.
• LeBron loves Andy and could push the Cavs not to deal him.
• Johnson is old, 35, and the Cavs could use some youth on the wing.
• Joe was under league average PER (15) last year at 14.11.
• JJ might struggle adjusting to such a small role, 4th at best.
• That is a TON of Luxury Tax money Dan Gilbert would have to pay.
• The beloved Brendan Haywood contract would “only” get the Cavs a 1 year rental.

So does the reported Joe Johnson rumor to the Cleveland Cavaliers make sense? Mostly. The Cavs would have to have some idea about how LeBron would respond to Andy getting traded but getting a former All Star who still showed he can play last year is worth it. Getting Johnson would make it less important to upgrade the backup PG position, though we have an option for you in our next post, as Joe can handle the ball well.

What do you think about the Joe Johnson, Cavs rumor? Does it make sense?

Next: Cory Joseph Now Free; Two Cavs Connections Could Fit Him In