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.
Nets and Thunder make perfect Cam Johnson trade partners
As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Brooklyn Nets find themselves at the center of swirling rumors surrounding forward Cam Johnson. The team is reportedly seeking two first-round picks in exchange for Johnson, but rival teams believe the final deal may involve a prospect and one first-round selection.
The Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder are emerging as top suitors for Johnson’s services. While the Kings’ interest is somewhat surprising, the Thunder’s involvement makes perfect sense given their abundance of draft capital and young talent.
Sean Marks, the Nets’ general manager, has a history of setting high bars in trade negotiations. Sometimes this strategy has led to missed opportunities, but it has also resulted in impressive hauls, as seen in the Kevin Durant and Mikal Bridges trades. The key question now is whether Marks will hold firm on his asking price for Johnson or be willing to compromise.
The Thunder present an intriguing trade partner due to their wealth of assets. With 33 total picks at their disposal, including protected first-rounders from various teams extending to 2026, Oklahoma City has the flexibility to make an attractive offer. The potential inclusion of players like Ousmane Dieng or even Nikola Topic could sweeten the deal for Brooklyn.
One complicating factor in any Johnson trade is the presence of unlikely incentives in his contract. While these bonuses are not expected to be reached, the team acquiring Johnson would need to account for the possibility of paying an additional $4 million if certain performance markers are met.
The Golden State Warriors have also entered the conversation, with Jonathan Kuminga’s name being floated as a potential trade piece. However, Kuminga’s development with the Warriors has been inconsistent, raising questions about his true value and potential fit with the Nets.
As the Nets prepare to face the Detroit Pistons, the team finds itself in a peculiar position. Despite efforts to reset their culture and develop young talent under interim head coach Jordi Fernandez, Brooklyn remains competitive enough to potentially hurt their draft position. The organization seems to have accepted this reality, focusing on long-term goals rather than short-term results.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Cam Johnson trade rumors and the Nets’ strategy moving forward, tune into the Locked On Nets podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Nets Podcast:
• Detroit Pistons matchup preview
• Sean Marks’ comments on future superstar acquisitions
• Analysis of potential trade packages from various teams
Jan 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts after a fouled was not called against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Smoothie King Center. | Matthew Hinton/Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
How can you know in the NBA if something’s real?
If a team really is on a sustainable upward trajectory, or if they’ve overachieved? If a player whose name has become synonymous with trade talks really wants out (or in somewhere else, depending on how you’re looking at it)? How can you tell the difference between talent and development, and when does it start to matter? And how do you know that regular season dominance will translate into postseason competence, let alone contention?
I’ve been thinking about NBA mirages, the things we will ourselves into believing over the course of a season, as a few of the league’s prominent storylines play out. What constitutes an NBA mirage is that it has justenough staying power at a distance, but like the real thing, when you start to interrogate it up close its corporeal outlines vanish.
Trades are a huge generator of NBA mirages. I hate to think how many ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine tool is pumping out per hour as the trade deadline approaches. Jimmy Butler’s request for a trade out of Miami is one of the reasons I started thinking about them, specifically, where they shift from fantasy to reality. The prospect of a trade, for Butler, is as solid as the car he gets in to drive himself to Heat games. For Pat Riley and the Heat’s front office, the trade’s an illusion (delusion, maybe, if you asked Riley). What’s real to them is Butler’s behaviour, which they emphasized by suspending him for seven games.
Does Butler, since then reported to have asked both the Bucks and the Grizzlies not to trade for him, make his potential trade more real by narrowing its scope? Or is he limiting himself and his chances of an exit — any exit — from Miami?
Shifting from trades to returns, Zion Williamson’s back on the floor in New Orleans. Williamson’s dunks, like his first in-game slam last night since early November, have a knack for calling to mind immediately the contours of the earth under your feet. I tend to curl my toes against the ground, checking it’s still there. Why then, does he make me think of mirages? The hope for Williamson, since he entered the league, has been consistency — in his health, his game, his career.
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.
Must Read Amid Pacific wildfires, Steve Kerr and JJ Redick’s families have evacuated the area. (CNN)
Biz What the EuroLeague and IMG’s new deals mean for the future of basketball in Europe. (The Athletic)
Analysis In his sophomore season, Noah Clowney has shown significant improvement, particularly in his defensive capabilities and on-court awareness, making him a valuable asset for the Brooklyn Nets. (NetsDaily)
Personnel In an exclusive interview, Sean Marks discussed the synergy between him and head coach Jordi Fernandez in the ongoing rebuild process, highlighting their shared vision for the future of the Nets. (NetsDaily)
Must Read Bleacher Report analyzes who would take the crucial last shot for each NBA team in a Game 7 scenario. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Nets host the Pistons tonight at 7:30 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Tuesday’s Key Fantasy Basketball Notes
Jan 7, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) signals to his team during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA action brought a mix of surprises and disappointments across seven games. The Phoenix Suns, despite their recent lineup changes, continue to underperform, raising questions about their strategy and team dynamics.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a significant setback, losing to a depleted Dallas Mavericks team. This loss highlights ongoing concerns about the Lakers’ consistency and ability to compete against even weakened opponents.
In a thrilling finish, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks showcased his clutch abilities by sinking a half-court shot to secure a victory. Young’s performance was stellar throughout the game, finishing with an impressive 24 points and 20 assists.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
Several key players were sidelined due to injuries or illness. Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs is out with a back issue, potentially impacting his trade value. Jerami Grant’s facial contusion continues to sideline him, opening up opportunities for players like Deni Avdija.
The Philadelphia 76ers are facing challenges with both Joel Embiid and Paul George out, though not due to a back-to-back situation. This absence further complicates the 76ers’ season, which has already been marred by inconsistency.
Ausar Thompson’s absence due to illness raises concerns, especially given his history of health issues. While the exact nature of his current condition remains unclear, fans and fantasy managers alike are hoping it’s not as serious as his previous bout with blood clots.
Waiver Wire Trends
The waiver wire has seen some interesting movement, with Bryce Sensabaugh emerging as the most-added player despite missing a game due to illness. Ryan Dunn and Nikola Jovic have also seen increased interest, though their long-term value remains questionable.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Nets podcasts.
Brooklyn Nets lose to Pacers with injuries mounting up. Day’Ron Sharpe a monster on the boards The Brooklyn Nets looked like a fully tanking team against the Pacers on Monday, starting Keon Johnson, Tyrese Martin, Noah Clowney, Ziaire Williams, and Nic Claxton. They ended up losing by 14 in a game where they could have lost a lot more.
Cam Johnson’s trade could happen sooner than later?
It looks like Cam Johnson avoided serious injury after twisting his ankle last game, and the Nets could be in a scenario where they move on from him in a trade sooner than later.
Brooklyn Nets beat Bucks, but Cam Johnson injured?
The Nets pulled off another surprise win on Thursday night, this time, once again, beating the Milwaukee Bucks. The Nets held off a furious comeback by Milwaukee late in the game where it really appeared they would snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. But in the ends,
