When the Brooklyn Nets acquired Cameron Johnson in the infamous Kevin Durant trade, many were unsure what they were getting.
He had been a solid role player on the Phoenix Suns, but it never looked like he would be more than just that— a role player. Even in his first two years in Brooklyn, he appeared to be getting better, but there was a lack of consistency.
Fast-forward to the present. Johnson has not only embraced a bigger role with the team but has also flourished in it.
In 22 games this season, the 28-year-old is posting career-highs in minutes (32.6), field goal percentage (48.4%), and points per game (18.5). Cam Johnson has taken on a leadership role on and off the floor. While he’s been the subject of trade rumors all year, he has proven his value to the Nets more than expected. The small forward has had a handful of great performances, including the Nets’ 99-90 win on Wednesday vs. the Indiana Pacers.
Cam Johnson led the way with 26 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the three-point line. He added seven rebounds and two steals while setting a new Nets franchise record for the most points scored without making a two-point basket (26).
Games like this give you hope that Johnson can maintain this level of play. It puts the Nets in a win-win situation for the present and future. If the Nets eventually trade Johnson, he may go for more than originally projected in terms of picks. If they keep him as part of the rebuild, he will help the Nets be competitive and help other guys grow in head coach Jordi Fernandez’s system.
How Johnson Has Elevated His Play
The biggest reason why Cam Johnson’s game has grown is that he’s on his team for the first time in his career.
Johnson played under the shadow of his best friend, Mikal Bridges, for his career’s first five and a half seasons. In his first full season without him, Johnson is thriving in a main role on a young Nets squad. Fernandez is looking to Johnson to make plays on both ends and get the team going. He does just that, as it’s obvious that the rest of the team follows when he goes.
https://twitter.com/SNYNets/status/1864476374007693381
He’s shooting confidently, and his teammates feed him as much as possible. Johnson has also become the player who makes others around him feel better. While most were unsure of what Johnson would bring to Brooklyn a few years ago, it’s clear now what he provides. He’s a leader, an energy player, and a guy others want to play hard with.
Johnson has made it clear that he wants to stay in Brooklyn. So far, he’s making a compelling case for being invaluable to the Nets’ long-term plans.
Leave a comment