Former Phoenix Suns Ahead Pursued By Convention Rivals

PHOENIX – Simply because it appeared like issues could not get any worse for the Phoenix Suns, they probably did.

In the identical report from Sam Amick of The Athletic, the place the Golden State Warriors are an finally unlikely vacation spot for Jimmy Butler, he additionally named the Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder as two groups which have gone after the previous Suns wing Cameron Johnson.

Johnson, 28, spent 3.5 seasons in Phoenix, averaging 10.7 PPG in 200 video games with the franchise earlier than being traded to Kevin Durant in February 2023.

Johnson turned the transfer to Brooklyn into a significant constructive for each side – because the North Carolina product had the very best season of his profession with 19.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG and three APG over 49.6/ 43.6/89.5 photographs.

The simple bounce on the offensive finish of the court docket was additionally accompanied by a bounce on protection – making him the potential lacking piece Oklahoma Metropolis was searching for.

The Thunder have surged to a dominant 29-5 begin to the season regardless of being shorthanded for almost all of this season – everybody, together with Phoenix, is enjoying catch-up.

Including Johnson would make it extraordinarily tough for Phoenix to get into the identical realm – even with a possible addition of Butler.

Johnson to Sacramento could be much less apparent, because the Kings are in disarray after firing 2023 NBA Coach of the Yr Mike Brown. This might be seen as an try by the Suns’ Pacific Division rival to appease De’Aaron Fox, however finally it looks like it will take extra for them to surpass Phoenix – even of their present state.

The commerce deadline is February 6 – and Johnson stays one of many largest names available on the market. It will likely be extraordinarily fascinating to see if the previous Suns fan favourite might be on the transfer because the Nets proceed to bridge the road between rebuilding and retooling.