Getty Former Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Johnson
The Brooklyn Nets have been often accused of unfairly loading up on assets in their pursuit of a championship. It is an approach that has made them the villains of the NBA.
After coming into the season with All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant already on the roster the Nets added three more All-Stars during the season. The team completed a blockbuster trade for nine-time All-Star James Harden less than a month into the season. Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge (who would later retire) were acquired through the buyout market.
The Nets are looking to add another All-Star to their roster as they gear up for a playoff run, per Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson, but according to his report, another Eastern Conference rival is already a step ahead in their pursuit.
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Nets Still Pursuing Joe Johnson
“Joe Johnson had a remarkable workout with the Milwaukee Bucks, I’m told,” Scoop B tweeted on April 20.
“Per sources: Johnson impressed Bucks so much that he is coming in for a 2nd workout.”
Joe Johnson has started to become a hot name in the free-agent market as teams are in the season of rounding out their playoff rosters. According to Scoop B, Johnson has quite the pool of suitors including the Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat, and defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.
Scoop B had previously reported that the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz were interested in Johnson. ‘Iso Joe’ played with Utah from 2016 to 2018.
Joe Johnson had a remarkable workout with the Milwaukee Bucks, I’m told.
Per sources: Johnson impressed Bucks so much that he’s coming in for a 2nd workout.
As I shared last week: Lakers, Nets also have interest.
Another team with interest in the NBA free agent are the Heat.
Bucks aren’t only team interested in Joe Johnson.
Other teams keeping tabs on ISO Joe: Clippers, Nets, Jazz, Lakers.
The 39 year old impressed during USA Basketball Men’s AmeriCup Qualifying Team while averaging 11 PPG, 9 RPG and 6.5 APG.
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Iso Joe Can Still Hoop
In his career, Johnson has averaged 16.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. Although the seven-time All-Star is knocking on the door of 40 years old, he has shown he still is a bucket when needed.
His last NBA appearance was 2018, during a short stint with the Houston Rockets.
During his hiatus since then, he spent time in Ice Cube’s BIG3 league. He was awarded the league’s Most Valuable Player award in 2019, averaging 21.9 points per game. That was the last season of the league, as the BIG3 did not take place in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Johnson Waiting On the Right Opportunity
The league takes place in the summer once the NBA season is over. While Johnson is still interested in an NBA comeback that is not the reason why he joined the BIG3. Johnson told reporter Marc Spears that he used his stint in the BIG3 as a way to cope with the death of his mother, though he never ruled out an NBA comeback.
“I am hopeful to get back, but I did not get in the BIG3 to get back to the league,” Johnson said, via The Undefeated.
“I had a great career. I enjoyed the process. The only thing that keeps the NBA fire in the belly is how it ended in Houston. That just does not sit well with me. So, if an opportunity comes along and I feel that it is worth it, yeah, I take that chance.”
Johnson has had an incredible NBA career. He is a seven-time All-Star, All-NBA, and enjoyed a lot of success with the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets. The one thing that has eluded the 17-year veteran is the chance to compete for an NBA Title as he has never been to the NBA Finals.
With him being a name on multiple title contender’s radars, Johnson may finally get his opportunity in 2021.
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