Brooklyn fillets Earlier than Cam Johnson has shocked many individuals this season with how he has elevated his scoring numbers following Brooklyn’s rebuild. After averaging 11.7 factors per sport in his profession this season, Johnson is making progress 19.1 factors, 4.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists per sport whereas taking pictures 48.8% from the sphere and 42.3% from three-point land.
With Johnson having a profession 12 months, it is solely a matter of time earlier than groups name the Nets hoping to commerce for Johnson in hopes of profitable a championship with him. Most not too long ago, the Sacramento Kings have thrown their hat into the bucket of groups in search of assist on the energy ahead place and Johnson seems to be one of many extra out there gamers than the others.
For a staff like Oklahoma Metropolis Thunderfor instance, they’re in search of one final piece to make sure that taking pictures will not be a solution for a Thunder staff led by famous person Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and firm. That being mentioned, one may be involved about what a possible commerce between the Nets and Thunder may seem like for Johnson and Clemente Almanza from OKC Thunder Wire was in a position to present some suggestions on potential parameters:
How possible are the Nets to commerce Johnson?
Clemente: I do know it looks like the Nets shall be sellers after buying and selling Dennis Schroder to the Warriors, however what’s their urge for food for a Cam Johnson deal? Schroder is simpler to maneuver since he is a veteran on a one-year deal, however Johnson is younger and proficient sufficient to be a franchise cornerstone.
Sharif: The sensation I’ve from the Nets and the reporting surrounding them is that Johnson is the participant they least need to commerce due to how nicely he has performed this season. Johnson is having a profession 12 months, however Brooklyn feels the identical means about Mikal Bridges and now he is enjoying for the New York Knicks. Finally, Nets normal supervisor Sean Marks is protecting the rebuild on the forefront of his thoughts and if he has to select between Johnson and 1-2 first-round picks, Marks will select draft capital.
What sort of return may the Nets be in search of?
Clemente: Appears like Johnson is on the market on the proper worth. You point out two first spherical picks, would that headline a deal? If that is the case, the Thunder can simply match that with their trove of draft property. How necessary is the 2025 draft class to Brooklyn or would they like future picks down the highway? Moreover, what sort of NBA gamers would the Nets be in search of in a Johnson deal?
Sharif: I believe it could be the best-case state of affairs for the Nets to get two first-round picks for Johnson until there’s a staff invested sufficient in him to pay that. I believe the Nets need as many picks handed on as quickly as attainable, however they have already got 4 first-round picks for 2025, so that they’re most likely future years at this level. Brooklyn would not appear to be choosy concerning the gamers they at present signal with the rebuild nonetheless in its early phases, however they might use some younger guards/wings provided that their most confirmed backcourt participant is Cam Thomas, who may not be in Brooklyn subsequent season. . If the Thunder had been keen to half methods with Cason Wallace and/or Aaron Wiggins, that could possibly be attention-grabbing for Brooklyn.
Potential commerce framework
Clemente: For the primary proposition, what do you consider Wiggins, Kenrich Williams, the Sixers’ protected first-round choose in 2025, and the Mavericks’ first-round commerce in 2028?
Sharif: I believe that will be one thing the Nets would do. Getting two first-round picks, even when a kind of picks is a commerce to a Mavericks staff that might nonetheless be good heading into the 2028 NBA Draft, as a result of Johnson would maximize his worth at that time. Wiggins and Williams can be two gamers who may match into Brooklyn’s rotation as a consequence of their capacity to shoot the three and play protection to various levels.
What would Johnson carry to the Thunder?
Clemente: Tender! What can the Thunder anticipate from Johnson? Clearly, outdoors taking pictures and dimension are his largest strengths, however what are the nuances of his sport that may be missed by those that do not get the possibility to look at him each sport?
Sharif: The largest factor that stands out about Johnson’s sport is his versatility on the offensive finish of the courtroom. As you identified, his taking pictures is elite, particularly along with his capacity to shoot threes in a catch-and-shoot state of affairs in addition to having the ability to shoot nearly as nicely on the transfer. Nevertheless, Johnson has additionally proven an improved capacity to get to the basket and has been keen to lean into it extra this season than in earlier years. Johnson can be an awesome praise to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams in that he’s one other participant who could make issues occur off the dribble if mandatory.
What would Wiggins and Williams carry to the Nets?
Clemente: This seems like the proper complementary piece. He ought to get loads of outdoors seems with OKC’s 5-and-out offense. I do not know if he would begin however it could actually be an choice. For the Nets, they get two stable bench wings again in team-friendly offers. Wiggins is probably not a plus defender, however his taking pictures and out of doors taking pictures are his strengths. He’s additionally an elite off-ball cutter. Williams is a serviceable backup wing who can shoot from the surface and has first rate dimension to defend facilities. He is a low-minute participant as a consequence of damage points, however he needs to be an enormous veteran presence. Each are additionally on transferring contracts. So if Brooklyn finally decides to maneuver both participant, they need to have a commerce market made up of suitors with out wings.
Sharif: Wiggins and Williams appear to be two gamers who may make an honest affect on the Nets, particularly with what the staff may seem like in the event that they determined to commerce away most of their veterans like they did with Dennis Schroder till now. Moreover, Wiggins and Williams would not have such a big position within the rotation that they’d take away gamers like Cam Thomas, Nic Claxton, and so on. who want enjoying time to proceed to enhance, so this commerce would work on that entrance as nicely. GOOD.
Clemente: Trying ahead to doing enterprise with you! I am certain Thunder followers can be thrilled with Johnson. It may cost a little them fan favorites, however it improves the staff considerably. Draft capital is just a little excessive however that is why the Thunder have spent the final 5 years amassing picks.
This text was initially printed on Nets Wire: Nets scoff at commerce talks with Thunder for sharpshooter Cam Johnson
