The Brooklyn Nets have increased interest as a trade partner after their decisive move to part ways with Mikal Bridges. After signaling their reluctance to move on from Bridges, the Nets dropped a hammer and acquired several first-round picks for the star forward in a trade with the New York Knicks. Bridges' absence helps move the Nets forward with a focus on developing young talent. Yet, there remains another forward who Brooklyn can still reap benefits from: Cameron Johnson.
The Nets acquired Johnson from the Phoenix Suns in February of 2023 along with Mikal Bridges as a part of the blockbuster Kevin Durant trade. Johnson was viewed as a high-level two-way wing who could help Brooklyn ascend. He had a promising showing with the Nets, averaging 16.6 points and 1.4 steals on a 37.2 three-point shooting clip during the last half of the 2022-2023 season. Johnson earned a four-year, $108 extension with Brooklyn the following summer, heightening his expectations.
Johnson appeared in 58 games for the Nets during the 2023-24 season and averaged 13.4 points on 39.4 percent from deep range. He struggled with injuries and did not take the jump some expected him to. Now that Brooklyn has dealt Mikal Bridges, Johnson looks to be the next trade candidate, but there is one issue that could see the Nets have trouble moving him.
How NBA's CBA effects Cameron Johnson's tradability
The summer of 2024 is the first summer governed by the NBA's new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Some harsher penalties and limitations come when a team's total cap sheet surpasses the second apron (a threshold to limit excessive spending), as noted by Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer.
NBA team strategists have suggested that it may become harder for teams to trade existing deals from recent 2023 or later free agency deals that are loaded with unlikely incentives, Fischer noted. An example Fischer used of an unlikely incentive is Jordan Poole theoretically receiving a $1 million bonus for being named Defensive Player of the Year. Although, this is unlikely to happen given Poole's focus on offense.
Cameron Johnson reportedly has roughly $3 million in unlikely bonuses in each of his four years of the agreement he signed with the Nets. This could deter teams from mulling a trade for him. Will Johnson become a Defensive Player of the Year? Likely not. But teams must still consider his full financial incentives.
It will be interesting to see if Johnson remains on the Brooklyn Nets by the time the 2024-25 season begins.