Nets
Small forward Cam Johnson indicated he was both surprised and not-so-surprised by his trade from the Suns to the Nets in February.
“Man, you know how this league is, anything can happen,” Johnson said on Tidal League, via HoopsHype. “It’s not like the trade came completely out of left field, you know what I mean, it’s not like I’m sitting down minding my business, nothing’s on the radar and then boom.
“That trade was on the table since (Kevin Durant) initially requested a trade back in June, so it was always a possibility. It’s just as you get down to the trade deadline with like 12 hours to go you don’t know what’s going to happen, 1:00 a.m., like you’re just getting ready for bed for a game the next day, you’re not expecting it to happen in that moment so in the moment it’s like wow, like what just happened.”
- Johnson has made just one appearance but is expected to return for Friday’s road game vs. the Celtics. Though he suggested he could be on a minutes restriction, per Evan Barnes of Newsday.
Heat
Coach Erik Spoelstra said the Heat will do everything they can to overcome the loss of guard Tyler Herro, who’s expected to miss multiple weeks with a sprained ankle.
“We’ll have to adapt,” Spoelstra said, via Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “We’ll have to really lean into our defense.”
- Spoelstra added that he would like Jimmy Butler‘s usage rate to increase in Herro’s absence, per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.
- Small forward Caleb Martin (knee) will remain out for the Heat’s game Saturday vs. the Hawks, via Winderman.
76ers
Guard De’Anthony Melton is aiming to emerge from a shooting slump that’s plagued his early season.
“Don’t think too hard about it,” Melton said, via Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Just go back to our mechanics. Go back to the foundation that you have. That’s what I’ve been trying to do. …
“I’m glad we’re playing well. I’m glad we’re winning, and I’m not playing my best. So that’s even more exciting for us.”
- Guard Patrick Beverley indicated he’s one of the best to offer a spark off the bench in the entire league. “The best plus-minus off the bench in the NBA, so it’s expected,” Beverley said, via Pompey. “I’m a professional. I go out there and impact winning. I was just fortunate to be able to do that since I’ve been here.”
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