NBA: Pistons Favored To Sign Forward, Nets Need Alternative

Joe Johnson has been on the radar of a number of NBA teams this offseason, with the veteran swingman impressing during his time in the Big 3 league and reports say he is close to returning to the league for the upcoming 2019-20 season. He is just fresh off a title winning campaign with the Triplets while also being named the league MVP.

The seven-time NBA All-Star last played in the NBA with the Houston Rockets when he averaged 6.0 points, with 38.1 percent shooting in 23 games, before making the switch to the Big 3 championship. He recently admitted that he was happy in the Big 3 but revealed that the only reason he wants to get back into the NBA was he was not happy with how his final season ended.

“I am hopeful to get back, but I did not get in the BIG 3 to get back to the league," Johnson told The Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears, as quoted on ESPN. "I had a great career. I enjoyed the process. The only thing that keeps the NBA fire in the belly is how it ended in Houston. That just does not sit well with me. So if an opportunity comes along and I feel that it is worth it, yeah, I take that chance."

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported earlier in the month that Johnson was planning to hold workouts for three franchises – the Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets. He has previously spent four seasons with the last one, earning one of his All-Star selections with the Nets while leading them to three consecutive playoff appearances.

However, according to The Athletic’s Frank Isola, the Pistons are leading the chase to land the veteran small forward after holding a workout recently. He is unlikely to be given a major role if he signs for the upcoming season; he is likely to play backup to Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond in the Pistons frontcourt.

If the Pistons do decide to offer Johnson a guaranteed deal for the upcoming campaign, they will have to cut the non-guaranteed deals of reserve center Christian Wood and small forward Michael Beasley.

The Nets, meanwhile, will need to look for an alternative as they are keen to sign a forward. They will be without Kevin Durant for the entire 2019-20 season owing a ruptured Achilles while they recently lost Wilson Chandler to a 25 game suspension after he violated the league's Anti-Drug policy; and they could also be without Rodions Kurucs after he was brought up on alleged domestic violence charges recently.