Sources across the NBA all have the same belief: Cameron Johnson is the player most likely to be traded prior to the Feb. 6 deadline, per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst.
It's not even a prediction anymore, yet an unavoidable spoiler.
Johnson, who is averaging a career-best 19.6 points on 49.9 percent shooting from the field, might be the only player available that could make a significant and immediate impact for teams with title aspirations. General manager Sean Marks and the Nets continue to scheme for prime 2025 NBA Draft position, already with four first-round picks, which Johnson’s crescendoing production could easily compromise through the final stretch of this campaign unless otherwise unjustly relegated to the bench.
Brooklyn has been clear that it views Johnson as a piece that would fit seamlessly next to a star addition in the summer, but his current impact on winning relative to the other lottery teams might force the franchise’s hand. Marks has already moved on from Dennis Schroder (GSW) and Dorian Finney-Smith (LAL) this season, although the ask for his prized forward is much different, rumored to start with at least two first-round picks.
"The Nets asking price is high," one league executive said, per ESPN.
Why wouldn’t it be, though? Frankly, he’s playing better than the Knicks’ Mikal Bridges, who yielded five first-round picks for Brooklyn last summer. The 28-year-old former UNC star is owed just $43 million over the next two years, $20.5 million in 2025-26 and $22.5 million in 2026-27.
Oklahoma City, Sacramento, Indiana, Memphis and Cleveland, among other looming suitors, have all been linked to interest in Johnson.
The Cavaliers have expressed interest in acquiring forward Cam Johnson from the Brooklyn Nets, sources tell @joevardon.
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) January 17, 2025
Cleveland is looking to address distinct disadvantages in size and physicality on the perimeter.
Details ⤵️https://t.co/uUFRrc0jjl
Bontemps and Windhorst also suggest six-year Nets center Nic Claxton has been mentioned as a potential trade candidate. The 2019 second-round pick signed a four-year, $100 million deal with Brooklyn last July, and now output isn’t quite meeting expectations as the 6-foot-11, 215-pound defensive force has regressed almost entirely across the board compared to his previous two seasons.
Notably, Claxton recently passed Chris Morris for sixth on the team’s NBA all-time career blocks list, now chasing former No. 1 overall pick Derrick Coleman for its fifth spot (for the time being, at least). His departure from the Borough would obviously allow the Nets to offload their largest financial commitment, making a superstar signing in 2025 almost inevitable and simultaneously adding more of those invaluable ping pong balls to the fold.
Not long to go at all. Tank now or forever hold your peace, Brooklyn.