Brooklyn Nets Getting 'Big Three' With Deron Williams, Dwight Howard and Joe Johnson?
Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks swingman, is reportedly on his way to joining the Brooklyn Nets where some are saying he could be joined by the team's current free agent guard Deron Williams and polarizing Orlando Magic Center Dwight Howard.
The news of 31-year-old Johnson forming a possible "big three" in Brooklyn broke on Monday night, after ESPN reported that he agreed on a "handshake agreement" with the team. The Nets have reportedly agreed to trade the expiring contracts of Jordan Farmar, Johan Petro, Anthony Morrow, Jordan Williams and DeShawn Stevenson to acquire Johnson from the Hawks.
While the team will also reportedly trade a future first-round pick to Atlanta, they made sure to keep a first-round pick in 2013. The news of the Nets seeking to gain Johnson comes after months of rumors that 26-year-old Howard was interested in the team.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Chris Broussard, ESPN analyst, spoke about the trade that could send Howard to Brooklyn.
"The Nets and Magic are discussing a trade that would send Dwight Howard to Brooklyn for Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries, Marshon Brooks and the Nets' first-round picks in 2013, 2015, 2017," Broussard tweeted. "(This) move would give Nets Big 3 of D-Will, Dwight & Joe Johnson."
Although many are including Howard and Williams in the Nets frenzy, Williams has yet to make a decision about where he will play next season. The 28-year-old guard recently said that he is not interested in rebuilding, but signing with a team that would be a contender next season.
"I want to go to a place where I feel like they will have a chance to build and build fast," Williams told the Los Angeles Times. "I'm not really in the mood for being part of a rebuilding process."
However, multiple ESPN analysts believe that acquiring Howard and Johnson would impact Williams's decision to stay with the Nets.
Some questioned if the team could become champions with their new rumored lineup.
"So if Nets pull it off, they'll have a Big 3 of Dwight Howard, DWill and Joe Johnson," one person tweeted. "Instant contender in the East?"
Although questions still loom concerning Williams's and Howard's next destination, Johnson's acquisition by the team seemed to be enough to shock some.
"Joe Jonson in Brooklyn," another person tweeted. "That's crazy."
