The Brooklyn Nets are looking to make the most of the free agency period. Dwight Howard has them on their radar, but their first move came when they agreed to acquire Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Joe Johnson in a multi-player deal.

The news was reported by ESPN on Sunday night. The current deal states that the Nets will get rid of the expiring contracts of Jordan Farmar, Johan Petro, Anthony Morrow, Jordan Williams, DeShawn Stevenson, and a future first-round pick all to land 5-time All Star Joe Johnson.

After Nets and Hawks executives shook on the deal, the Nets focused on their planned meeting with Deron Williams who has said he would make a decision on who he would sign with before Independence Day. According to sources, Williams will most likely announce his decision on Tuesday.

The Nets were set on making the trade for Joe Johnson despite Deron Williams not confirming whether or not he not he will re-sign with the team.

Brooklyn may be putting Dwight Howard in their rear view as this Joe Johnson deal makes it more difficult to sign the big man, who has expressed great interest in being traded to the Nets. A source close to the team says "They didn't want to dance with us. Dwight blew it in March (when he opted in to the final year of his current Magic contract)."

Though the Hawks did not benefit much from the trade talent-wise, they were able to remove Joe Johnson's max contract from their books. He's owed $90 million over the next four years. His total contract is in the amount of $126 million.

The Nets hope that the Joe Johnson trade will persuade Deron Williams to re-sign with them during free agency.