The Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets have restarted trade discussions, this time focused on guard Joe Johnson for Lance Stephenson according to Yahoo Sports.
Both teams are discussing a larger package that would likely include guards Lance Stephenson and Gerald Henderson and forward Marvin Williams.
The Nets have dropped eight of 10 games, and fallen a half-game behind the Hornets for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Charlotte owner Michael Jordan has been intrigued with the possibility of Johnson, who has struggled recently with tendinitis. Johnson, 33, has one of the three major contracts that the Nets would ideally like to unload, what with the $23.1 million on his 2014-’15 deal, and $24.9 million in the final season of his 2015-’16 contract.
Brooklyn has been unable to muster a market for guard Deron Williams, who has missed nine straight games with a rib injury. The Nets are still intent on moving Brook Lopez, with the Denver Nuggets remaining an interested trade partner, league sources said.