Report: Pistons Making Pitch to Nets for Joe Johnson

The trade deadline is looming, and if there were a team that needed to make moves, it would be the Nets. Now according to reports, the Detroit Pistons have called the Nets to discuss Joe Johnson.

Sources confirm @pistons making pitch to @BrooklynNets for Joe Johnson for Brandon Jennings, @realtuffjuice @JonasJerebko and picks.
— Stu Jackson (@StuJackson32) February 19, 2015

Brook Lopez has garnered the most attention on the rumor mill, but now Joe Johnson's name has popped up. The Pistons are reportedly offering the Nets a package of Brandon Jennings, who is out for the remainder of the season with an achilles injury, Caron Butler, and Jonas Jerebko.

The only way this benefits the Nets is that it offers salary cap relief. The plan for Brooklyn was always to gear up for the 2016 offseason, and keeping Joe Johnson would not have an effect on those plans.

Johnson, who will be 34 in June, is set to make just under $24.9M next season. This year, he holds averages of 15.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.

In this deal, the Nets get a young point guard in Jennings, but a point guard who is known for being a chucker. They would also get the last legs of Caron Butler for the next season and a half, and Jonas Jerebko, whose contract expires at the end of this season.

This isn't exactly the most enticing deal, so we'll see if Billy King even considers it.

UPDATE:

Reports have surfaced indicating that the Pistons are offering draft pick compensation as well as the three players previously mentioned.

If draft picks are being included, it would be absolutely foolish to turn down this offer. The Nets have a first rounder this year, but Atlanta will get the better of either their pick or the Nets'. Being that the Nets aren't all that good and the Hawks are a top team, the Hawks will be getting Brooklyn's pick while Brooklyn gets Atlanta's.

With draft picks included, this trade officially becomes a no-brainer.
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