Cam Johnson missed Friday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a back injury and will likely sit out the final regular season game on Sunday. Since the 2024-25 season began, teams from the Eastern and Western conferences have expressed interest in Johnson, fueling swirling rumors. Cam Johnson trade talks will likely continue in the offseason as the Nets approach their final game on Sunday.
Possible Cam Johnson Trade This Summer
The Nets have missed the playoffs for a second straight year. Johnson, averaging 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, is on a four-year, $94.5 million contract for two more seasons. Before the trade deadline, Nets general manager Sean Marks traded Dennis Schroder, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Shake Milton to Western Conference teams. After those trades, discussions shifted to Johnson’s future. Marks kept Johnson and told the media that multiple teams had expressed interest before the trade deadline.
Marks appeared on The Bridge, the team’s YouTube mini-series, in February. He discussed the Nets’ young roster and explained the decision to keep Johnson. Marks said, “We’re enjoying seeing some of these young guys develop and this roster continue to grow under [head coach] Jordi [Fernandez’s] tutelage. So I think for us, it was like, just stand pat. We haven’t seen enough of some guys because they’ve been hurt,” He continued, “With Cam, there was a lot of interest in him, like there was a lot of interest in a lot of our guys. But we like Cam, and I think Cam fits multiple different builds that we’re doing. He’s a voice of reason. He’s well-respected within that locker room…he’s a pro’s pro. So if people can learn from somebody, learn from Cam Johnson. That’s a great guy to pick up habits from.”
Cam Johnson Trade Talks
NBA insider Michael Scotto recently discussed potential teams interested in Johnson this summer with YES Network’s Meghan Triplett. Those teams include the Spurs and Timberwolves. Scotto said, “Some other teams that I don’t think were mentioned, but I had checked in with (were the) San Antonio Spurs, looking for some shooting around (Victor) Wembanyama, the Minnesota Timberwolves as well. They also looked at (Kevin) Durant.” He added, “I do expect Cam Johnson is going to draw some significant interest on the market this summer. The question will be whether Brooklyn views him as a player that can be a part of the next iteration of this team.”
Desire To Remain With Nets
In December, Johnson expressed his desire to stay with the Nets and contribute to the team’s rebuilding efforts. “I want to build this,” he told HoopsHype. Johnson continued, “I really like Coach Jordi. I like our staff.” Johnson expressed his confidence in the team’s future, while acknowledging the business side of the NBA. “I think we’re headed in the right direction.” He added, “I can’t tell them exactly what to do and how to proceed. The business will do what the business does. I don’t take it personally either way. For me, I’m invested in what we have. It’s been exciting to find progress and to see the potential. I want to be here and get this thing really turned around and back to winning basketball. I think we have the group to do it, and I think we have the assets and pieces to do it. Whatever they decide, no hard feelings.”
Decisions
The Nets face several key decisions this summer. As rumors about Johnson trade talks continue, speculation surrounds Nic Claxton and whether the team will re-sign guards D’Angelo Russell and Cam Thomas. They also need to determine their approach to the upcoming draft. The team holds 31 draft picks over seven seasons and has significant salary cap space.
Meanwhile, Johnson must wait until summer to learn if his offensive, defensive, and aggressive contributions fit the Nets’ future plans.
Photo credit: © Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
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