Are the Pacers targeting Cam Johnson?

Are the Pacers targeting Cam Johnson?

We are less than one month away from the 2024-25 NBA Trade Deadline, and the Brooklyn Nets have already been one of the most active teams.

There hasn’t been many moves thus far. Though they were able to part with guard Dennis Schroder (link) and forward Dorian Finney-Smith (link), and they could be looking to sell off more.

Their next big move could include forward Cam Johnson, who will reportedly have a “steep” price tag if moved because Schroder and Finney-Smith were flipped for second-round picks. There are several teams expected to be involved, but NBA insider Jake Fischer linked one intriguing Eastern Conference team to Johnson this weekend.

“League sources say that Indiana is a team to watch in the trade pursuit of Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson,” Fischer wrote recently on The Stein Line, according to Nets Daily’s Lucas Kaplan. “Memphis is another team frequently mentioned as a likely Johnson suitor … although it’s unclear how eager the Grizzlies are to return to the trade table with the Nets in the wake of Brooklyn deciding to swap Dorian Finney-Smith to the Lakers after extensive talks with the Grizz.

“Sources also confirmed to The Stein Line that the Kings have indeed held trade talks with the Nets regarding Johnson, but I’m told that prized rookie Devin Carter to this point has not been included in any of the teams’ discussions. The Kings value Carter highly.”

Indiana shouldn’t be the only team vying for Johnson’s services. He would certainly help out with their defense and spacing around Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. They are also on similar timelines, allowing them to grow together over the next several years.

However, Fischer’s report doesn’t mean Indiana will go full-fledged to acquire the 6-foot-8 forward. They do own practically all of their first-round picks outside of 2026, which they traded away to the Toronto Raptors in the Pascal Siakam deal. Thus, they cannot trade their 2025 or 2027 first-round picks outright (until their respective draft nights) due to the Stepien Rule.

Bradley Beal knows he holds ‘the cards’ in any trade including him

Johnson, 28, is having a career year with the Nets. He’s averaging 19.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists on 49.6 percent shooting, including 43.6 percent from 3-point range and 89.5 percent from the free-throw line. He’s also in the second year of a four-year, $95 million extension with cap hits of $22.5M, $20.5M and $22.5M, respectively, according to Spotrac.

Is he the missing piece? He may be on the right team. The Nets can wait until the offseason to flip Johnson when a deal becomes even more team-friendly. But if a god-like offer comes across their desk, it will be difficult to not part with him when he’s clearly their most valuable asset.

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