It was already pretty much common knowledge that the Utah Jazz and Joe Johnson were looking to part ways, but a recent report from Marc Stein of The New York Times further solidified it.
If you’ve been following the Utah Jazz even somewhat closely leading up to the trade deadline, you’re probably well aware that the team has been looking to strike a deal to move veteran Joe Johnson. The free agency signing of Johnson two summers ago was one of the bigger splashes in Jazz history and he achieved legend status among Jazz fans last season thanks to his performance against the LA Clippers, most notably his game-winning shot in Game 1.
But, alas, Johnson came to Utah to help spur a young team into the playoffs and perhaps even into elite contention. He did a great job of setting a foundation to do just that last year, but when Gordon Hayward flew the coop this summer, hopes of Utah reaching another echelon in 2017-18 were all but dashed.
Thus, with the Jazz shifting gears as they try to retool as quickly as possible while Joe Johnson realizes all too well that time is ticking on his career as he plays out his final years, it makes perfect sense that Utah would want to deal him, not only to help themselves after Johnson’s contract expires, but also to show the classy veteran that they want him to be in the best situation possible after he took a chance on signing with the Jazz and gave them their all in the first place.
In that light, it’s been quite clear for some time that the Jazz were likely to part ways with Johnson prior to the season’s end, be it through trade or buyout. However, a somewhat interestingly worded tweet from The New York Times’ Marc Stein this morning made it seem that Johnson’s desire to be off the team was a little more direct than that. Here’s what he had to say:
Veteran scorer Joe Johnson is angling behind the scenes for a trade out of Utah, according to league sources. Will be interesting to see if he becomes a buyout candidate for contenders should no deal materialize before the Feb. 8 trade buzzer
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 1, 2018
Several NBA news outlets and frenzied fans on social media took this to mean Joe Johnson “wants out.” Which to be fair, is probably quite accurate, but not quite in the way it was portrayed. To my understanding, this isn’t like when Enes Kanter “wanted out” or when Trey Burke “wanted out”. Instead, it’s precisely what we’ve all already known – it’s a “Joe Johnson is on the last leg of his career and he wants to spend it on a contender” kind of wanting out.
In short, this is far from breaking news. The Jazz have sought to move Joe Johnson as it would frankly make sense for them to try to get something back at this point rather than lose him for nothing and it would be a good gesture to help move a veteran to where he can be better utilized at this point of his career. To say that he’s fed up with the Jazz and is dying to get off the team is likely quite the stretch. After all, it should be recalled that Johnson was never forced here. The team didn’t draft him or trade for him, instead he agreed to sign as a free agent with the Jazz.
His “wanting out” is more than likely due to a shift in the organization’s direction as a result of the Hayward loss than it is to anything the team, front office or fanbase has done to rub him the wrong way.
Regarding Joe Johnson: I think every writer on the day-to-day Jazz beat has reported in some form or fashion that he's a trade candidate or a buyout candidate if no trade comes. In other words, the tweet sent out this morning shouldn't be breaking news
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) February 1, 2018
What will be interesting to see is whether Utah can actually get something in return for the expiring contract of Joe Johnson or not. While his veteran experience and ability to get a bucket certainly give him some value, his putrid defense this season as well as his impending free agent status and age could make him less than desirable.
Not to mention, if Utah isn’t able to trade him, they may very well just buy him out therefore removing him from the team and allowing him to sign elsewhere. Other teams likely know this quite well and may decide to hold off and try to nab him after the buyout rather than give up assets to acquire him now.
Whatever ends up being the case, it will be an interesting situation to keep an eye on and it’s extremely likely that Johnson will no longer be with the team by season’s end, be it as a result of a trade or buyout.
I personally think Joe Johnson earned lifetime hero status in Utah for what he did to the Clippers last season. https://t.co/Ia557kr0p5
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) February 1, 2018
Wherever he ends up, I wish him the absolute best and I would hope that all Jazz fans feel the same. It was pretty monumental that he was willing to come to Utah in the first place. Throw in his legendary playoff performance from last season, and he has every right to be permanently enshrined in the hearts of Jazz fans.
Next: Prediction: Utah Jazz will need to finish year 20-12 to make playoffs
Best of luck wherever the coming weeks take you, Iso Joe! And know that you’ll always have a home in Utah.