LeBron: Joe Johnson 'knows we want him'

After waiving Joe Johnson on Thursday afternoon, Sean Marks and the Brooklyn Nets quickly made their longtime swingman the hottest name on the open market.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly favorites to sign the 34-year-old after he clears waivers - a move that would sit well with four-time MVP LeBron James.

"He knows that we want him," James said to Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com. "He knows that we want him and if he decides to come here, it'd be great. But if not, then we'll continue to move on with what we have."

Leading the Eastern Conference by three games, one could argue that bringing in Johnson could at least briefly disrupt the Cavaliers' chemistry. However, LeBron doesn't imagine it would take the 14-year-veteran long to adjust to Cleveland's system.

"It's not tough at all. It's not tough," LeBron said. "We got a veteran ball group and we know what we want to do and I think playing against Joe and competing against him, I think he's smart enough to be able to come in here and just get right into the flow of things. It's not hard at all."

Johnson is set to clear waivers at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday.