NBA Exec Believes Nets Will Eventually Trade Cameron Johnson

An NBA exec believes the Brooklyn Nets will eventually trade Cameron Johnson.

The Nets are in rebuild mode after trading Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks. 

“You don’t get the sense they’re knocking down doors to move him,” one NBA executive told Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports. “I think they’ll get to that point, either in the next few weeks or before the (trade) deadline. He does a lot of good things for you, he can shoot, pretty good defender, good guy to have in the locker room. The contract is not bad, either. So, there will be a market for him if they get that ball rolling.”

Johnson appeared in 58 games for the Nets in 2023-24. He averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks while shooting 44.6% from the field, 39.1% from beyond the arc and 78.9% from the free-throw line.

The Nets acquired Johnson from the Phoenix Suns in the blockbuster Kevin Durant trade during the 2022-23 season.

Johnson, 28, has career averages of 11.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Suns and Nets.

A UNC product, Johnson will make $23.6 million next season. He signed a four-year, $94.5 million contract with the Nets in July 2023. 

“I’ll just let whatever happens, happens,” Johnson said at NBA Summer League about his future. “Obviously, I think we have a pretty good group in Brooklyn that we can really start to grow something. If I’m staying in Brooklyn, then I’m all-in, excited to play, excited to grow this group, and that’s where my head’s at right now. I’m on the Brooklyn Nets right now.”

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the teams interested in trading for Johnson. 

“He is the kind of guy they’re looking for,” the executive said. “I don’t think they really want to make any moves but the only moves they would make would be to bring in some shooting, especially if it’s a big guy who can shoot. And he’s a big guy who can shoot.”