Is Cam Johnson The Answer For The Cavs?

As the Brooklyn Nets’ season continues to go south, they are trying to build up their future by giving up their present.

They’ve already traded pieces like Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith this season, acquiring a handful of draft picks in the process. 

Cam Johnson’s name has begun to swirl in trade rumors as well. The 28-year-old Net is averaging 19.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game over 35 games this season. He would be a valuable asset to a contending team right now, and the Nets will almost certainly get a decent return for him. Any team that lands him will get him for most of his prime if they choose, as he is under contract through the 2026-27 season.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of many teams rumored to be heavily interested in Johnson. They could be on Johnson’s short list of desired destinations. They are 36-9, holding the second-best record in the league, and are hoping to contend for a title in the spring. However, a recent blowout by the Oklahoma City Thunder exposed holes within the roster. Is Johnson the answer to those problems?

A Cavs-Thunder NBA Finals Would Be Absolute Cinema

How Does Cam Johnson Fit Into The Cavs?

Overall, Cam Johnson is a plus for any team. He has the highest box plus-minus (3.4) of anyone on the Nets who has played over 10 games. He also has the highest amount of win shares (3.2) of anyone on the roster.

The Cavs get their scoring primarily from Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Johnson would provide the perfect offensive firepower to further bolster what has arguably been the best offensive team in the league.

Teams would not be able to pay as much attention to Mitchell, who is the team’s leading scorer. He has struggled in matchups against top teams like the Celtics and Thunder. Johnson should allow Mitchell to play more freely, aggressively, and efficiently. Johnson is an upgrade from most, if not all, Cavalier wings and will open a new realm of possibilities for the Cavs.

Defense: A Double-Edged Sword

While Johnson would be great for the Cavs offensively, questions remain is his defensive upside…or downside.

Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade, among other players who can play small forward, have a better defensive rating and defensive box plus-minus than Johnson. Sure, some of this has to do with the Nets’ poor record and overall net rating. Nonetheless, if Cam Johnson can’t at least provide replacement-level defense, the Cavs could fall to the same fate against the Thunder as they did a week ago. 

The Cavs coughed the ball up a whopping 21 times while forcing only six turnovers. They got cooked when they played man, and absolutely burnt when they played zone. However, Johnson may be more versatile than someone like Okoro, as he is a couple of inches taller. On switches, Johnson may be able to cover guards better than Wade, as he is lighter and quicker. In addition, playing for the Nets doesn’t help anyone’s stats, so  Johnson’s defensive numbers might not tell the full story.

Cross-matching has become a major part of multiple teams’ defensive schemes in the modern NBA. Throwing Johnson on stretch bigs like Chet Holmgren and Kristaps Porzingis while keeping Evan Mobley on a non-elite-shooter like Jrue Holiday would nerf the efficiency of 1-5 pick and rolls for opposing teams. Mobley can then protect the paint and stray from his man more. This would be the ultimate way to capitalize on Johnson’s versatility as a quick 6-foot-8 player.

The Verdict

Cam Johnson is an improvement for the Cavs. But he is not THE answer. Johnson is not the piece that undoubtedly gives the Cavs an edge over any other team. If the Cavs are to trade for him, they must be careful not to destroy the team’s chemistry. This team was built by getting young, capable pieces that could grow together over the course of multiple seasons.

If the Nets are the only trade partner, the twin towers, starting guards, and Max Strus should be untouchable. Strus has provided important shooting while the other four aforementioned men have been the oil that keeps the Cleveland machine rolling. Whether the Cavs land Johnson or not, they have much work to do.