The Brooklyn Nets’ moves this offseason clearly set their course for the upcoming season: They traded up to regain control of their own first-round picks for the next two years (originally sent to the James Harden business), then exchanged Mikal BridgesThis team is planting (Cooper) Flagg and going under this season, looking for a high pick in a quality draft.
Which means they’ll be sellers heading into NBA training camp and leading up to the trade deadline. Cam Thomas, Bojan BogdanovicAnd Dorian Finney-Smith will be popular targets. Power forward Cameron Johnson will be too, but it won’t be a bargain basement sale, Brian Lewis reports in the New York Post (from an article on the slim chances of Jimmy Butler coming to Brooklyn).
NBA insiders who spoke to The Post said the Nets have consistently had high trade demands for Johnson, which would explain his continued presence on the roster. Asked earlier this offseason how he fits into GM Sean Marks’ new plans, Johnson said, “I’m still trying to figure it out. I’m still trying to figure it out.”
Johnson is a quality NBA player who averaged 13.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game for the Nets last season, shooting 57 percent from three-point range and shooting 39.1 percent from the field. He did all of this despite a series of minor injuries that slowed him down. Johnson took a step back defensively last season and is unsure on that front, but he was a solid defender when paired with other good defenders.
Johnson will earn $23.6 million next season, the second season of a four-year, $90 million contract.
There will be interest in him and all the Nets players not named. Ben Simmons. Johnson, 28, is not part of Brooklyn’s long-term rebuilding plans, but Marks and the Nets management aren’t selling anyone — this isn’t a fire sale. Young, choice players who can help Brooklyn rebuild must be returned in any deal.
Typically, big-money transfers don’t happen before training. Teams are usually good at summer transfers and want to see what they have on the pitch before making a move. That’s probably the case with Johnson, but as some teams realize they need help at the back four, Marks will be called upon. He’s just keeping the price high for a forward they like.