Report: Joe Johnson Trade Talks Between Nets, Cavs Are 'Stagnant'

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Not so fast.

On Sunday, ESPN.com reported that the Cavaliers were interested in trading 35-year-old center Brendan Haywood to the Nets for small forward Joe Johnson.

But on Monday morning, ESPN's Chris Broussard said that talks between the two teams are "stagnant," and "there's nothing happening right now."

The Nets have reportedly been looking to move Johnson and his $24.9 million salary in 2015-16, and the Grizzlies are another team that has discussed taking the 34-year-old off Brooklyn's hands. Johnson is the second-highest-paid player in the NBA.

If Haywood is waived before August 1, he'll have a $10.5 million non-guaranteed contract.

If Brooklyn traded for Haywood and waived him, the organization could save tens of millions in tax payments, according to ESPN.com.

On Monday, Broussard reported that initial talks also included center Anderson Varejao, who will make $9.6 million this upcoming season.

The Cavs decided that they didn't want to make that trade and suffer the tax consequences. Broussard also reported that general manager Billy King didn't want to take on Varejao's contract.

Johnson, in his third season with the Nets, averaged 14.4 points in 2014-15. He added 3.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 34.9 minutes.

Since coming to Brooklyn from Atlanta, the seven-time NBA All-Star has been an iron man, playing 72, 79 and 80 games.