Nets Seeking Multiple First-Round Picks For Cam Johnson; Grizzlies Interested?

December 29, 2024

The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly seeking multiple first-round NBA draft picks in return for sharpshooter Cam Johnson, but whether they can achieve that after recent deals involving Dennis Schröder and Dorian Finney-Smith remains another matter.

According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, Brooklyn had been firm in their stance that they would only move players like Finney-Smith for a first-round pick, a position the team has adjusted following the Lakers’ offer.

While Brooklyn was negotiating with the Memphis Grizzlies for Finney-Smith, the deal they ultimately accepted from Los Angeles was influenced by several key factors that made it a more appealing option.

First, the Nets had concerns about the first-round pick Memphis was offering, which was reportedly heavily protected — a top-17 pick in the upcoming June draft. Brooklyn, instead, opted for three second-round picks from the Lakers, two of which were unprotected.

This deal boosts Brooklyn’s stockpile of second-round picks to an impressive 16 over the next seven years (from the 2025 draft through 2031), providing them with additional flexibility to shape their roster or use in future trades.

Secondly, a deal with Memphis would have required the Nets to send additional second-round picks and take on salary, which wasn’t a desirable scenario for Brooklyn, Stein reported.

In contrast, the deal with the Lakers only saw the Nets part with Finney-Smith and Shake Milton — two players who weren’t in the team’s long-term plans. As Stein notes, the Nets did not have to absorb any unwanted salary or give up extra assets, making the Lakers’ offer the cleaner, more efficient move.

However, there are questions about whether Brooklyn got the best return for Finney-Smith, especially given their previous demands for a first-round pick.

After trading Schröder to the Warriors and now Finney-Smith to the Lakers for six second-round picks combined, the Nets are at a crossroads. They had hoped to set a precedent for their asking price on players like Johnson, but with the NBA market now shaped by these recent deals, it may be harder to justify demanding multiple first-rounders for him.

Indeed, Memphis, after coming close to a deal for Finney-Smith, could pivot to pursuing Johnson in the coming weeks.

The Grizzlies, who were deeply involved in trade talks for Finney-Smith, are still believed to be exploring other options, including potentially moving John Konchar. Memphis also remains actively engaged with Luke Kennard, though his trade would require his consent as a one-year contract player.

The trade market is rapidly evolving as the February 6 deadline approaches, and how the Nets navigate their remaining trade assets, including Johnson, will be crucial.

After the Finney-Smith and Schröder deals, Brooklyn’s focus will likely shift toward maximizing returns for players like Johnson — though whether they can get the multiple first-round picks they are hoping for remains to be seen.