Nets ahead Cam Johnson has been chosen to compete within the Starry 3-Level Contest at All-Star weekend in San Francisco on Saturday, Feb. 15.
The sphere consists of Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland, Miami Warmth guard Tyler Herro, Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield, Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard and Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell.
Throughout final season’s 3-Level Contest in Indianapolis, Lillard defended his title with 26 factors within the remaining spherical, defeating Trae Younger (24) and Karl-Anthony Cities (22).
Johnson would be the sixth Nets participant to take part within the occasion, becoming a member of Patty Mills, Joe Harris, Joe Johnson, Anthony Morrow and Dražen Petrović. Harris gained the competitors in 2019.
“I think it’s the right decision,” Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez stated. “In my opinion, [Cam’s] the best shooter in the NBA, should be shooting in the 3-point contest, so they did a great job selecting him. And we’re happy we have a player from our club going there. We know he’ll do a great job representing us.”
Via 36 video games this season, the soon-to-be 29-year-old has recorded career-best averages in factors per recreation (19.3), assists per recreation (2.9) and minutes per recreation (32.1). He ranks fourth within the NBA and first within the Jap Convention in 3-point proportion at 41.7%.
Groups across the league had been lining as much as pry Johnson away from the Nets forward of Thursday’s commerce deadline, however finally no deal was made. He has two years left on his present deal value $21.5 million yearly.
“I feel that this year I’m a much better player overall than I’ve been in the past,” Johnson instructed reporters at Friday’s shootaround. “And I don’t think this is the best I’ll be. I will continue to push to be a better player next week and next year, and everything in between, and everything beyond that.”
WAITING GAME
Ben Simmons, reportedly within the means of negotiating a contract buyout with the Nets, was not with the staff throughout Friday’s matchup towards the Miami Warmth at Barclays Heart. Fernandez declined to touch upon the scenario till a deal is finalized, however did communicate on the progress Simmons made this season below his watch.
“He’s done a good job competing and being a part of our club and our culture and showing up and working with his teammates,” Fernandez stated. “Whatever we’ve asked him to do, he’s done it… I’ve been very pleased with him.”
The 28-year-old, within the remaining yr of a five-year contract he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, averaged 6.2 factors, 5.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 33 appearances this season. He ends his Nets tenure with simply 90 video games performed and 0 playoff appearances in three seasons.
POST DEADLINE CLARITY
The commerce deadline is behind us. After buyout season, no matter gamers are left on Nets’ roster would be the ones Fernandez rolls with for the remainder of 2024-25. In some methods it’s a reduction. Now Brooklyn can concentrate on constructing continuity and ending robust — and the imaginative and prescient seems clear from high to backside.
“The owner has a vision, the GM designs the whole plan, and then the coaches execute on the court,” Fernandez stated. “I’m always informed about what’s going to happen and what’s happening, and that gives me security to then do my job… We always have opinions and share opinions. I’ve been building a very good relationship with the front office.”
