Even before the Nets pursued buyout talks with Deron Williams, ownership and management were always lukewarm about dealing Joe Johnson. As one league source told NetsDaily, the Nets were never aggressively marketing the 6'8" swingman. The preference was always to dump Williams.
There may have been perfunctory talks with Memphis and Cleveland, based on LeBron James desire to add him to the Cavs mix after an injury-marred post-season had deprived them of scoring power, but as far as pushing him and his $24.9 million contract, it wasn't a top priority.