Despite their emphasis on a youth movement, the Brooklyn Nets still have a few veterans on their roster. Cameron Johnson is one such veteran who originally joined the team as a part of 2023's Kevin Durant-Phoenix Suns trade. Johnson possesses a high level of two-way ability, but the Nets have been rumored to trade him since their Mikal Bridges move in June 2024.
Cam Johnson signed a four-year, $108 million contract extension with the Nets after a promising stint with the team during the last part of the 2022-23 season. However, Johnson dealt with some injury woes in 2024-25 and could not reach the same production level. With the Nets now in a rebuild, Johnson's role could be different from what it was once. Nevertheless, Sean Marks praised the forward for his conduct amid moving parts:
"Cam and I had multiple conversations... He's a true professional, I can be very open with him... He said, 'Whatever role there is, whatever you want me to do, I'll do it.' That's where it lies. None of these guys are ever gonna be surprised by a change in direction from me," Marks said in a press conference on Sep. 26 regarding Johnson's future with the team, per Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.
Johnson's professionalism and willingness to adapt to role changes is a positive sign for the up-and-coming Nets.
What will Cam Johnson's role be in 2024-25?
Is it no secret that one of Johnson's biggest strengths is scoring. In his first 25-game stint with the Nets, he averaged a career-high 16.6 points on a 37.2 percent three-point shooting clip. During his first half of the season with the Suns, Johnson averaged 13.9 points per game and shot a blazing 45.5 percent from range. He comes off a 2023-24 season with averages of 13.4 points on 39.1 percent three-point shooting.
In addition, Johnson is a reliable wing defender who can guard multiple positions. Brooklyn will ask Johnson to do what he has always done: play defense and shoot the ball. However, the difference is that he may not be in the starting lineup in 2024-25.
Rising second-year forward Jalen Wilson is quickly solidifying himself as a building block for the Nets. He showed promise during the 2023-24 season and his 2024 NBA Summer League MVP performance earned him greater favor with Brooklyn. The Nets could start Wilson at small forward, leaving Johnson in a bench role.
Regardless of what happens, it looks like Cam Johnson will do his best in whatever capacity the Nets need him.