Report: Celtics To Pursue Joe Johnson After Buyout From Nets
BOSTON (CBS) -- On Thursday morning, Danny Ainge said the Celtics were waiting to see which players end up getting bought out of their contracts before filling the final spot on the Boston roster.
Just a couple of hours later, one such player reportedly hit the market. And the C's are reportedly in pursuit.
ESPN's Marc Stein reported that buyout talks have begun between the Brooklyn Nets and Joe Johnson. And, according to Stein, the Celtics are already one of seven teams interested in his services.
Joe Johnson and the Brooklyn Nets have opened buyout negotiations, ESPN has learned
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 25, 2016
Sources tell ESPN several playoff teams (Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland, Houston, Miami, OKC and Toronto) are already in pursuit of Joe Johnson
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 25, 2016
Johnson, 34, was originally drafted by the Celtics at No. 10 overall in the 2001 draft. But he played just 48 games before being traded to Phoenix as part of a deal that sent Tony Delk and Rodney Rogers to Boston.
He's spent the last four seasons with Brooklyn, with his points per game dropping each year, from 16.3 in 2012-13 to 11.8 this year. In 57 games this year, he's averaged 33.9 minutes per game with 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists.
In his 15th season in the NBA (Boston 2001-02, Phoenix 2002-05, Atlanta 2005-12, Brooklyn 2012-16), Johnson has averaged 17 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.
Ainge told Toucher & Rich on Thursday that the Celtics were scanning their options with regard to the roster spot that was opened after the buyout of David Lee.
"We're not close," said Ainge. "We're waiting to see the other players that are bought out."