Amick: Brooklyn Nets and Sacramento Kings have had ‘pretty extensive talks’ re Cam Johnson

It doesn’t seem close, but Sean Marks & co. often surprises and Sam Amick writes Cam Johnson has become “somewhat of a priority” for Sacramento.

In an article for The Athletic and on a podcast with a Sacramento sports radio talk Sam Amick reports that the Brooklyn Nets and Sacramento Kings have had “pretty extensive talks” about a trade centered on Cam Johnson but that Brooklyn’s demands are “too rich for the Kings’ blood” so far. However, Amick also said acquiring Johnson has become “somewhat of a priority” for the Kings.

Amick did not detail who or what might be moved for Johnson, who’s playing the best basketball of his career.

In his piece for The Athletic, the second time in 10 days that he’s written about the Kings interest in Johnson, wrote about the talks as part of a story on the internal chaos in Sacramento following the firing of Mike Brown last week and suggestions that the team’s star, De’Aaron Fox wants out of California’s state capital.

At the moment, Amick writes in The Athletic, the Kings would rather build up their roster than engage in a teardown.

With the Kings (15-19) sitting 12th in the West, team sources say they are focusing on improving the current roster while shutting down any and all inquiries regarding Fox. Specifically, the Kings are known to have had extensive talks with the Brooklyn Nets about small forward Cam Johnson. There is an internal awareness that the roster needs to be improved, and the Johnson pursuit is just one of many avenues the Kings are known to be exploring.

In talking with Sacramento’s SportsTalk1140, Amick said much the same, but added a couple of details.

“Brooklyn and the Kings have had pretty extensive talks on that front,” Amick said. “I think the Nets asking price is too rich for the Kings blood and as we get closer to the deadline, maybe that changes, but he does appear to be somewhat of a priority for them and they’re hoping that Brooklyn changes its stances.” Amick added that the Kings have other players beyond Johnson who they could pursue.

Amick did not detail what the Nets demands look like but there have been various reports that Sean Marks & co. want two future first rounders for Johnson who is averaging 19.3 points on shooting splits of 49.1/43.2/89.5, tantalizingly close to a 50/40/90, and is leading the league in effective field goal percentage at 61.4% while missing only two games.

The Kings do have a wealth of firsts. Their 2025 pick is owned by the Hawks but is protected. They control their own first rounders in 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, and 2032, a total of six, all unprotected. They also have seven seconds going forward.

There has also been speculation that Brooklyn could be interested in 6’3” point guard Devin Carter who the Kings took with the 13th pick in the 2024 draft even after he tore his labrum in a pre-draft workout. He has yet to play for Sacramento this season, but he could make his NBA debut tonight.

Another name mentioned by pundits is Kevin Heuter, the 6’7” sharpshooter who after hitting 38% from three in his six year career prior to this year is barely hitting 30% this season and is owed $34.7 million over the two including this one.

Of course, CJ’s name has been mentioned speculation across the league. In addition to the Kings, the most recent speculation has centered on OKC.

• Could Kings’ poor handling of Mike Brown’s firing push De’Aaron Fox out the door? – Sam Amick – The Athletic