The Los Angeles Lakers are among several teams interested in trading for Brooklyn Nets small forward Cam Johnson, as reported by Brian Lewis of the New York Post on July 22.
“His size (6-foot-8), age (28), and shooting ability make Johnson valuable. Only 10 NBA players 6-7 or taller averaged more than his 2.4 made 3-pointers last season,” Lewis noted.
While the Kings, Magic, and Lakers are interested, recent reports suggest that the Spurs, Raptors, or Warriors could be dark horses in the race for Johnson’s services.
New Lakers head coach JJ Redick emphasized during his introductory press conference that he wants the team to shoot more three-pointers and surround LeBron James and Anthony Davis with more two-way players, making Johnson a perfect fit. Last season, the Lakers ranked 28th in three-point attempts per game. Johnson, a career 39.2% three-point shooter on 5.2 attempts per game, can immediately boost the Lakers’ offensive firepower. The 27-year-old wing is also an adequate defender due to his size and switchability, allowing him to focus on defending the perimeter against wings and guards.
Cam Johnson Won’t Come Cheap
Johnson has three more years left on a team-friendly four-year, $108 million deal he signed with the Nets last season. The deal de-escalates after next season, making it even more attractive.
“While Johnson is entering the second year of a four-year, $94.5 million extension, it de-escalates after next season to just 13.91 percent and 13.85 percent of the salary cap in the final two years, making it team-friendly,” Lewis wrote.
With Mikal Bridges gone, the Nets are in full rebuilding mode. However, Johnson will not come cheap.
“The Bridges move and the deal with Houston to get their own 2025 and ’26 picks back has given the Nets that aforementioned flexibility. But moving Johnson would give them even more,” Lewis added.
With multiple teams interested, the Nets have significant leverage.
Will the Lakers Surrender Their Draft Capital for Johnson?
During the introductory press conference for rookies Bronny James and Dalton Knecht, Lakers vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka explained the team’s cautious approach in the trade market, which has resulted in a relatively quiet offseason so far.
“We’re going to always be aggressive in trying to make roster upgrades, and we’ll be relentless in looking at what we can do,” Pelinka said. However, he noted that they are being cautious due to the new, punitive Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that restricts teams that reach the first and second salary cap aprons.
“If the right deal comes and we have to include draft picks, we will,” Pelinka stated. “We are now in the apron world.”
The Lakers have two first-round picks (2029 and 2031) and five second-round picks available from next year’s draft until 2031.
Pelinka cited that contending teams losing players, such as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope from the Nuggets and Paul George from the Clippers, is a result of the new CBA.
“That’s a result of the apron world we’re living in,” Pelinka said. “Does it make trades more challenging? Yes. Does it make good trades impossible? No. So we’ll continue to pursue upgrades to our roster.”
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