There’s a rising sense across the league that Cam Johnson might stay with the Nets previous Thursday’s commerce deadline. Brooklyn has reportedly been in search of two first-round picks or equal for the sharpshooting wing. At this level within the cycle, that asking worth could also be a bit too steep.
“Teams monitoring the situation this week didn’t think anyone would make an offer strong enough to acquire Johnson,” wrote Ian Begley of SNY.
Johnson has averaged a career-best 19.4 factors, 4.1 rebounds and a pair of.9 assists throughout 35 video games this season whereas taking pictures 49.1% from the sphere and 41.9% from deep. His uptick in scoring and elite effectivity has made him a high commerce goal this season. The Nets, within the midst of one other grand rebuild beneath common supervisor Sean Marks, have been buying the ahead for months.
The Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and others have all been linked to Johnson at one level or one other. Nonetheless, after the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round choose, maybe breaking the financial institution for the 28-year-old now not appears like the very best use of property.
The Nets shouldn’t be in a rush to commerce Johnson anyway. He has two years left on his present deal price $21.5 million yearly, so will be stored whereas sustaining monetary flexibility. That, on high of his on-court ascension, is what makes him such a useful asset.
Johnson missed his sixth straight sport on Tuesday due to a proper ankle sprain. He was speculated to be re-evaluated someday this week.
LIFE IN THE LEAGUE
Dennis Schröder was having a profession 12 months in Brooklyn earlier than he was traded to the Golden State Warriors in December. Throughout his first 24 appearances within the Bay, he’s averaged simply 10.6 factors per sport whereas taking pictures 37.5% from the sphere. Whereas the veteran level guard remains to be blessed to be enjoying in the very best league on the planet, the sudden change in surroundings was hardly honest, however that’s the enterprise.
In an unique interview with Dalton Johnson, NBC Sports activities Bay Space, Schröder in contrast the NBA commerce deadline to trendy slavery. He’s been traded 5 instances in 12 seasons as a professional. And different journeymen across the league in all probability share the identical frustration.
“Everybody can decide where you’re going, even if you have a contract,” Schröder mentioned. “Yeah, of course, we make a lot of money, and we can feed our families, but at the end of the day if they say, ‘You’re not coming to work tomorrow, you’re going over there,’ they can decide that. They got to change that a little bit.”
LAKERS SEEKING CENTER HELP
“Versatility, mobility, a vertical lob threat, I think that’s a key to the spacing that Luka likes to play with, competitive,” Pelinka mentioned. “Those players are hard to find… But we’ll find a way.”
Sound acquainted? Nic Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe have each been linked to the Lakers in latest days, and the Nets are open for enterprise. Whether or not a deal will get achieved for both large will probably be revealed quickly.
