Former All-Star guard Joe Johnson will be free to join a contending NBA team over the weekend after the Brooklyn Nets requested waivers on the veteran Thursday.
The #Nets have requested waivers on Joe Johnson, GM Sean Marks announced today: https://t.co/5RfxxvrSoi
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 25, 2016
It had previously been speculated that Johnson was on the outs in Brooklyn. Not only did he fall out of favor within the organization, Johnson himself seemed hellbent on joining a contender.
If Johnson were to clear waivers (a certainty based on his eligibility to be claimed), he would then be free to sign with any NBA team as early as 5 p.m. ET on Saturday.
The defending Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers are said to be interested in the seven-time All-Star — a move that would make a ton of sense considering the inconsistency the likes of Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith have shown this season.
Johnson, 34, is averaging just 11.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 41 percent from the field this season. This would represent Johnson’s lowest scoring output since he was a youngster with the Phoenix Suns back in 2002-03.