A favourite commerce goal for over a 12 months, Cam Johnson has lately gained reputation as somebody who Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder ought to intention for by the 2025 NBA commerce deadline.
It is simple to see the match. Johnson is likely one of the league’s premier wings with a controllable deal. The 28-year-old has three years and $65.5 million remaining on his contract. His contract won’t expire till after the 2026-27 season.
Contemplating the Brooklyn fillets dealt Dennis Schroder to the Golden State Warriors, they’re going to most likely have a fireplace sale quickly. If Johnson turns into out there, he might be the most popular title for a midseason acquisition. He averages 19.1 factors on 48.8% capturing, 4.4 rebounds and three.1 assists. He shot 42.3% on 3-of-7.6 makes an attempt.
Given their draft capital and younger prospects, the Thunder may outbid every other staff within the league. To contemplate the likelihood, Thunder Wire spoken to Wire nets Sharif Phillips-Keaton will act as common supervisor and shut a deal. Right here is that dialog:
Almanza: I do know it looks as if the Nets can be sellers after buying and selling 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 gifted 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 properly he has performed this season. Johnson is having a profession 12 months, however Brooklyn feels the identical method about Mikal Bridges and he now performs for the New York Knicks.
Finally, Nets common supervisor Sean Marks is conserving 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.
Almanza: Seems like Johnson is accessible 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 street? Moreover, what sort of NBA gamers would the Nets be in search of in a Johnson deal?
Sharif: I feel it might be the best-case state of affairs for the Nets to get two first-round picks for Johnson, until there is not a staff invested sufficient in him to pay that. I feel the Nets need as many picks handed on as quickly as attainable, however they have already got 4 first-round picks for 2025, in order that they’re most likely future years at this level.
Brooklyn would not appear to be choosy in regards to the gamers they at the moment signal with the rebuild nonetheless in its early phases, however they might use some younger guards/wings on condition that their most confirmed backcourt participant is Cam Thomas, who won’t be in Brooklyn subsequent season. . If the Thunder had been keen to half methods with Cason Wallace and/or Aaron Wiggins, that might be fascinating for Brooklyn.
Almanza: For the primary proposition, what do you consider Wiggins, Kenrich Williams, the Sixers’ protected first-round decide in 2025, and the Mavericks’ first-round commerce in 2028? The Thunder will seemingly have to decide on between Wiggins or Isaiah Joe. With Johnson on the Thunder, the previous’s expertise overlap together with his. Within the meantime, the latter will at all times be invaluable due to his outdoors shot.
Sharif: I feel that may 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 could be two gamers who may match into Brooklyn’s rotation resulting from their potential to shoot the three and play protection to various levels.
Almanza: Superior. What can the Thunder anticipate from Johnson? Clearly, outdoors capturing and measurement are his largest strengths, however what are the nuances of his recreation that is likely to be missed by those that do not get the possibility to observe him each recreation?
Sharif: The largest factor that stands out about Johnson’s recreation is his versatility on the offensive finish of the court docket. As you identified, his capturing is elite, particularly together with his potential to shoot threes in a catch-and-shoot state of affairs in addition to with the ability to shoot nearly as properly on the transfer.
Nonetheless, Johnson has additionally proven an improved potential to get to the basket and has been keen to lean into it extra this season than in earlier years. Johnson could be an incredible praise to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams in that he’s one other participant who could make issues occur off the dribble if essential.
Almanza: This seems to be like the right complementary piece. He ought to get loads of outdoors seems to be with OKC’s 5-and-out offense. I do not know if he would begin however it might definitely be an possibility.
For the Nets, they get two strong bench wings again in team-friendly offers. Wiggins might not be a plus defender, however his capturing and outdoors capturing 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 measurement to defend facilities. He is a low-minute participant resulting from damage points, however he must be a giant veteran presence.
Each are additionally on transferring contracts. So if Brooklyn in the end decides to maneuver both participant, they need to have a commerce market made up of suitors with out wings.
Sharif: Wiggins and Williams look like two gamers who may make a good influence on the Nets, particularly with what the staff may appear 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 as massive of a task within the rotation as they might take away from gamers like Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton who want taking part in time to proceed to enhance, so this commerce would additionally work on this brow.
Almanza: Trying ahead to doing enterprise with you! I am certain Thunder followers could be thrilled with Johnson. It may cost a little them fan favorites, however it improves the staff considerably. Draft capital is a little bit excessive however that is why the Thunder have spent the final 5 years gathering picks.
This text was initially printed on OKC Thunder Wire: What would a commerce between Cam Johnson and OKC Thunder appear like?
