The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking into a Joe Johnson trade for Brendan Haywood with the Brooklyn Nets, according to a report from ESPN and this comes as the team is negotiating a contract with tristan Thompson and with LeBron James still waiting to sign back with the Cavs. The team is also reportedly talking with the Clippers about a Jamal Crawford trade.
The Cavaliers have been active this offseason while agreeing to deals with Kevin Love and Iman Shumpert and the team is also looking to bring back Thompson. The Cavaliers have also looked into trade opportunities with Brendan Haywood and Marc Stein at ESPN reports that the Nets could be a partner with Joe Johnson. The Cavs have been shopping Haywood since he has a non-guaranteed contract and that could be appealing for the Nets.
UPDATE: the talks for Johnson have slowed due to the Nets not wanting to take the contract of Anderson Varejao. Check here for more.
UPDATE II: Jamal Crawford could be in the mix now for the Cavaliers. New Report: Cavaliers, Clippers discussing Jamal Crawford for Brendan Haywood trade. Johnson trade has stalled. Check here for more and the update.
UPDATE III: Mo Williams has agreed to sign with the Cavaliers. The deal is for two years. Check here for more on Williams and the Cavs.
Stein reports that the $10.5 million for Haywood is not guaranteed and that makes him an attractive "asset" for Brooklyn, as they have been looking to clear cap space. The Cavaliers see Johnson as a potential offensive option with JR Smith on the free agent market and Stein reports the teams has been looking for "perimeter help." Johnson has a $24.9 million contract and that makes the deal a bit tougher to manage for the moment depending on the moves the Cavs make.
The team has Anderson Varejao as an option, as Pro Basketball Talk reports that he is making $9.6 million next season and is coming off of an injury. Varejao's number "put this deal in the ballpark" and that could be a fit with the Cavs bringing back Kevin Love and Timofey Mozgov. Varejao has been productive while healthy for the Cavs, but he played in just 26 games this season before suffering an Achilles injury.
The Cavaliers have shown interest in a number of free agents, with reports having David West, Tayshaun Prince, Caron Butler and Mo Williams as potential options. According to Cleveland.com, Williams is interested in coming back to the Cavaliers and he could be a strong option for the team to consider in free agency. Love is reportedly agreeing to a $110 million extension, while Thompson's contract is in the words, but talks have slowed down, according to reports.
The Cavaliers and Thompson are working on a deal and according to Brian Windhorst at ESPN, talks have "slowed" in negotiations. There were reports the two sides were "nearing" and $80 million contract extension with Thompson as a restricted free agent, but later it came out they were "apart" in talks. Thompson showed his value in the finals with Love injured and he averaged 8.5 points and 8.0 rebounds last season while playing in all 82 games.
The Cavaliers are bringing back Iman Shumpert and James is expected to return once the team makes its main free agent moves. James could sign another one year deal to set himself up for the rise in the salary cap and he likely will end up as one of the top paid players on the Cavs. The team could make some trade moves with Johnson and Haywood along with Varejao to free up space and that could help signing a free agent. James reportedly is waiting for Thompson to sign to get his deal done.
Check here for more on the Cavaliers trade interests and Thompson's contract situation.