Adam Armbrecht here, the host of the daily Locked On Nets podcast, with your daily Locked On Nets newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Nets and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Cam Johnson Value: Best Trade Partners For Brooklyn Nets At The NBA Trade Deadline
Sep 26, 2022; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks talks to the media during media day at HSS Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports | Vincent Carchietta/Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
As a Brooklyn Nets enthusiast, the trade market is always a thrilling topic, especially when it involves key players like Cam Johnson. The buzz around Johnson is palpable, and for good reason.
His ability to defend and shoot threes makes him a hot commodity for teams looking to bolster their playoff chances. The question is, which teams are best positioned to make a move for him?
Cam Johnson’s Trade Value and Potential Suitors
Cam Johnson’s skill set is a perfect fit for teams needing a reliable three-point shooter and a strong wing defender. His versatility on the court, combined with his positive locker-room presence, makes him an attractive option for franchises aiming for a deep playoff run.
Teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder are particularly intriguing. They have a plethora of first-round picks and a need for improved three-point shooting, ranking 19th in the league. Johnson could seamlessly integrate into their lineup, providing the shooting prowess they lack.
The challenge, however, lies in the trade mechanics. While some suggest a straightforward swap involving players like Luguentz Dort, it’s not that simple.
Dort’s defensive capabilities are crucial for the Thunder, making such a trade unlikely. Instead, a combination of younger players and future picks might be the key to sealing the deal.
The Thunder’s abundance of draft assets, including picks from other teams, gives them the flexibility to make a compelling offer without jeopardizing their future.
Evaluating Trade Packages and Team Needs
When considering trade packages, it’s essential to understand the varying value of first-round picks. Not all first-rounders are created equal.
A pick from a struggling team like the Washington Wizards holds more weight than one from a playoff-bound team like the Thunder. This disparity often complicates negotiations, as teams must weigh the potential impact of each pick.
For the Nets, the goal is to maximize returns without compromising their long-term strategy. A package involving multiple late first-round picks might not be as appealing as one with a single high-value pick. This nuanced approach is crucial in navigating the complex trade landscape.
The San Antonio Spurs also emerge as a potential destination for Johnson. With a need to improve their three-point shooting and a desire to support Victor Wembanyama’s development, the Spurs could offer a mix of future picks and players like Harrison Barnes to entice the Nets. This move would not only enhance their current roster but also align with their long-term vision.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Nets must carefully evaluate their options. The decision to trade Johnson hinges on the offers they receive and their assessment of his value to the team. With several teams in need of his skills, the Nets are in a strong position to negotiate favorable terms.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Brooklyn Nets trade strategies, tune into the Locked On Nets podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Nets Podcast:
- The impact of first-round pick protections on trade negotiations - Analyzing the Lakers’ trade options and their playoff aspirations - Exploring the San Antonio Spurs’ strategy with Victor Wembanyama
Dec 1, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick calls a play against the Utah Jazz during the first half at the Delta Center. | Christopher Creveling/Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
If JJ Redick had approached the season signalling a measure of outward self-awareness that he, a former player with no head coaching experience and cohost of a podcast with LeBron James, was now head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, things might be different. If Redick had acknowledged that very obvious, and unique to our contemporary basketball moment of athlete-driven media elephant in the room, things might be different. If Redick had at any point, when asked about his new role in scrums wherein he knows the clips and audio of his answers will be immediately and robustly aggregated, balanced out his self-aggrandizing basketball sicko-hood, or answers where he likened head coaching to nothing short of personal destiny, with something like, It’s a learning curve, really anything a hair more measured, things might be different.
Things would not look different. The Lakers made no real structural changes to their roster in the offseason, so the team playing bad basketball now is the same team that was playing bad basketball last season under Darvin Ham (Redick is one game off the 13-9 pace set by Ham last season), but things might be interpreted, or reasoned with, differently. That kind of grace, for a struggling franchise with major conflicting timelines and high-stakes notions like legacy on the line, goes a long way.
There is such a fine line in coaching between collaborative and domineering, confident and arrogant, and many first-time head NBA coaches have learned the hard way what it is to lose a team, and lose them quickly. Nate Bjorkgren went into the Pacers organization not just hot but by many accounts scorching, and was expeditiously fired at the end of his lone year in Indiana. Jason Kidd may have traded in his string of short-lived head coaching appointments (Nets, Bucks — and surprise! — Lakers) for his current and seemingly steady job with the Mavs, but there is no doubt a type afforded the leniency of multiple failures in the NBA, and it tends to be white, male and abidingly faultless.
To Redick’s credit, he has vocally shouldered the blame of the Lakers recent, bad losses. When the team fell to the Timberwolves 109-80 to start the month, Redick noted their lacklustre effort was “looking more and more like it’s not an aberration”, correcting himself from a late-November blown effort against the Nuggets he said was. This week’s impressive loss to the Heat resulted in a two minute explanation from Redick that skimmed the existential and was anchored in the heavy weight of realization.
What’s difficult from here — beyond how the Lakers improve when their offensive energy is sporadic at best and their approach to defence has been to literally stand back and watch — is how to move forward into the long season still ahead, with the base level of competency and pride necessary for a cohesive team to function.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Biz The NBA will return to China in 2025; The first time since team executive Daryl Morey’s 2019 tweet signalled support for Hong Kong independence. (ESPN)
Feel Good Four Raptors rookies make history by playing in two games in one day. (SportsNet)
Biz The Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns are set to resume their China Games next fall in Macau. This marks their return to the region, fostering international NBA relations. (NetsDaily)
Injury Nic Claxton’s return to form after injury is essential for the Nets’ success. His recovery progress is closely monitored. (New York Post)
Ticket Booth
Presented by
Bucks @ Nets
Sunday, Dec. 8 | 3:30PM | Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY | Get Tickets
Monday, Dec. 16 | 7:30PM | Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY | Get Tickets
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Ayo Dosunmu’s Big Fantasy Basketball Night
Dec 5, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) looks to pass the ball while defended by San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) and forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the first half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter/Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
The Dallas Mavericks dominated the Washington Wizards, with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving leading the charge. Doncic’s 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, alongside Irving’s 25 points, highlighted their commanding performance. Despite a lackluster showing from P.J. Washington, Quentin Grimes and Spencer Dinwiddie delivered solid contributions. The Wizards’ decision to start Marvin Bagley over Jonas Valančiūnas was puzzling, given Bagley’s inconsistent play. Bilal Coulibaly’s struggles continue, and Jordan Poole’s shooting woes persist, though his minutes remain encouraging.
In another matchup, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a significant win over the Denver Nuggets. Nikola Jokic’s 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 11 assists underscored his dominance, despite heavy minutes. Michael Porter Jr.'s defensive contributions were notable, with four steals and two blocks. On the Cavaliers’ side, Caris LeVert’s 21 points and Donovan Mitchell’s 28 points, six assists, and six triples were key to their victory.
The Oklahoma City Thunder overwhelmed the Toronto Raptors, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge with 30 points, five assists, and two steals. Cason Wallace’s defensive prowess was on display, contributing two steals and four blocks. The Raptors struggled without Jakob Poeltl, highlighting their lack of depth at the center position.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Nets podcasts.
Brooklyn Nets beat Pacers, Cam Johnson and company continue to win The Nets beat the Pacers 99-90 on Wednesday evening, improving to 10-13 on the season, more than halfway to their projected win total through just 23 games.
Trade season starting early? What is value for Cam Johnson, Dennis Schroder, DFS and more?
Recent reporting has the Nets as obvious sellers when it comes to the NBA trade season. That much we already knew. But the real question now becomes what kind of value there will be for guys like Cam Johnson, Dennis Schroder, Dorian Finney-Smith, and even guys like Cam Thomas.
Brooklyn Nets blown out by Bulls, but Dariq Whitehead shines and Day’Ron Sharpe returns
The Brooklyn Nets were blown out by the Chicago Bulls on Monday evening, predictable considering how many injuries the team is dealing with right now.
