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The Detroit Pistons have reportedly joined the Joe Johnson sweepstakes.
According to a report from Ohm Youngmsiuk of ESPN, the Pistons have contracted the Brooklyn Nets with regards to Johnson's availability.
The Pistons are in need of an offensive creator in the backcourt. The Pistons have received little by way of playmaking from their wings this season. Sharpshooter Jodie Meeks has flourished as a shooter, but sophomore Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has struggled to produce with any appreciable consistency.
Johnson is having a down year this season, averaging just 15.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game with the Nets. Johnson has battled tendinitis and the 33-year-old is on the downside of his 14-year career.
However, when healthy, Johnson remains a solid two-way option on the wing. He has enough size to log time at small forward and can do a bit of everything when it comes to playmaking.
If the two teams were to construct a deal, matching salaries will be tricky. Johnson is owed $23 million this season which will necessitate at least four Pistons going back in the deal, one of whom is believed to be Brandon Jennings. That may not sit well with fans who saw his breakout before his season-ending injury, but his $8.3-million salary would be necessary for matching and wouldn't cost the Pistons any piece of their current playoff push.
