Just when people thought all negotiations were over by the 2024 offseason, three teams surprised the league by completing a trade that included Brandon Ingram being sent to the Utah Jazz, the Brooklyn Nets getting John Collins and a 2025 first-round pick, and the New Orleans Pelicans getting Walker Kessler and Cameron Johnson.
Interestingly, Johnson has been classified as a ideal sales candidate for the Charlotte Hornets earlier this summer. The 2019 draft lottery pick would have fit well into the Hornets’ front line because of his 3-and-D skills.
It turns out that Charlotte may not have been all that enamored with the former Nets forward. Or maybe they just didn’t have the right assets to acquire him.
Would Johnson have been a good fit for the Hornets? The answer to that question is likely yes due to his ability to effectively knock down outside shots, create shots for himself when necessary, and respectably defend at least three positions.
Charlotte also had a quiet offseason that seemed to show the team is no closer to competingThe organization’s most notable moves were drafting what could be a long-term project in Tidjane Salaun and re-signing Miles Bridges, which Some people see this as embarrassing.
Johnson’s arrival would have brought a little more optimism to the Hornets faithful.
However, given what Brooklyn got in the recent three-team deal, it seems like the team would have had to part ways with a player of Ingram’s caliber or a first-round pick. Additionally, a straight-up trade to the Nets would have forced Charlotte to send multiple players due to the former Phoenix Suns forward’s contract that would pay him at least $22.5 million next season.
In some ways, the five-year veteran probably could have proven himself worth the money. But given that he’ll be 29 midway through the 2024-25 regular season, it might be in the Hornets’ best interest not to rush their reconstructionThey did well to stay put and not participate in the Cam Johnson draw.
The question now for the coaching staff is who to put in the starting lineup alongside presumed starters LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Bridges and Mark Williams. Johnson certainly would have earned that spot had he been sent to Charlotte.
