Hawks trade Johnson to Nets

Orlando's Dwight Howard wants to be traded to Brooklyn, but the Nets may not have the cap space. (MARK WEBER / Associated Press)

Associated Press

Posted: July 03, 2012

The Atlanta Hawks agreed to send all-star guard Joe Johnson to Brooklyn, ESPN said Monday, for five players and a draft pick.

The Hawks will get guards Anthony Morrow, Jordan Farmar, and DeShawn Stevenson, forwards Jordan Williams and Johan Petro, and a draft pick Brooklyn received from Houston. (The selection belongs to the Nets only if it is not a lottery pick.)

Johnson has four years and $90 million left on his contract.

The Nets, who will begin play in Brooklyn this season, are also trying to re-sign free agent point guard Deron Williams, and this deal may persuade him to stay.

But if that deal gets done, it most likely means Brooklyn will not have the cap space or assets to pull off a trade for disgruntled Orlando center Dwight Howard.

New Orlando general manager Rob Hennigan said Monday that Howard told him last week he would like to be traded, specifically to Brooklyn.

But Hennigan said he has not committed to honoring that demand.

Brooks inks new deal

Scott Brooks signed a multiyear extension to return as coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

General manager Sam Presti said Brooks agreed to a new deal less than two weeks after the Thunder lost to the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

The team did not disclose terms of the contract, but reports have said it is for four years at more than $4 million per year.

Davis hurts ankle

Anthony Davis has a left ankle sprain that must be evaluated later this week before he can be cleared to practice with the U.S. team.

Davis hurt his ankle at the team's training center in Westwego on Saturday, and Hornets spokesman Harold Kaufman said Monday that the club considers Davis' status for resuming training as day to day.

The 6-foot-11 Davis, who led the nation with 4.65 blocks per game while leading Kentucky to a national title, is among the players being considered for the American squad at the London Olympics.

Big Three to stay?

Celtics president Danny Ainge said he was hoping to keep intact the aging trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce, who brought the Celtics their first NBA championship in 22 years in 2008.

Pierce is already under contract and Garnett has reportedly agreed to a new three-year deal that can't be finalized until July 11 - the first day free agents can officially sign.

What's left for Ainge is to persuade Allen, a free agent, to stay. The veteran shooting guard, who just had ankle surgery, is reportedly being courted by Miami and Memphis, but the Celtics are in position to offer Allen more money than either the Heat or Grizzlies.