Joe Johnson’s buyout with the Nets is apparently complete.
Nets release:The Brooklyn Nets have requested waivers on Joe Johnson, General Manager Sean Marks announced today.
Teams waive players in conjunction with a buyout. Johnson will clear waivers, because no team has enough cap space to absorb his $24,894,863 salary (not that anyone would want to, anyway). At that point, the amount Brooklyn owed him for the rest of this season ($7,175,578) will be reduced to a pre-negotiated number and Johnson will become a free agent.
Johnson reportedly already determined he’d sign with the Cavaliers, though he’ll have plenty of other suitors. The Thunder, who can pay him more and offer a larger role, look particularly intriguing. But at this point, everyone else appears to be playing catch-up to Cleveland.
After a horrid start to the season, Johnson has rounded into form, for a 34-year-old. He’s a solid wing scorer, and he should help whichever team signs him -- maybe even deep into the playoffs.