A relatively quiet buyout market heated up Thursday, when the Brooklyn Nets and Joe Johnson agreed to a deal that makes the seven-time All-Star an unrestricted free agent in advance of the stretch run.
According to ESPN's Marc Stein, seven teams are pursuing Johnson before he clears waivers on Saturday: Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland, Houston, Miami, Oklahoma City and Toronto. More than any other buyout candidate, Johnson could play a role in the postseason whichever destination he chooses.
Of course, Johnson's new team won't be getting the high-scoring shooting guard who averaged better than 20 points per game each of his first five seasons with the Hawks (2005-06 through 2009-10).