It’s no secret that the Brooklyn Nets are in the midst of a rebuild this offseason, cutting salaries and stocking up on future draft picks. Speaking of which, the fact that the Nets have yet to trade former UNC basketball forward Cam Johnson is surprising to many.
In the past few days alone, there have been reports of interest from the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers, not to mention growing chatter among fans and media members about the potential for the 6-foot-10 Johnson to shine in what should be his prime.
Friday, CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn weighs in on social media reminding NBA franchises not to discount the possibility that Cam Johnson, 28, is “the guy” against similarly skilled players who also appear up for grabs in the trade arena:
“I’ve said that about a lot of teams. The forward I would try to recruit from the available players would be Cam Johnson. More than (Brandon) Ingram, more than (Kyle) Kuzma, more than (Jerami) Grant. The best combination of contract and skills. If you trust his medical examinations, he is the man for you. »
Last season, Johnson’s first full season in Brooklyn after three and a half years with the Phoenix Suns, the former late lottery pick averaged 13.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 44 .6 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from beyond the arc.
As for the Nets’ other UNC basketball product, 2020-21 Tar Heel Brooklyn backup big man Day’Ron Sharpe could also be on the way in a trade, with multiple teams reporting interest in the promising 22-year-old this week.
