With much of the Nets’ opening-night roster either injured or traded away, Cam Johnson has taken on an increasingly central role in the team’s offense.
This shift has been evident in the way opposing teams are treating him, as defenders are now starting to blitz him, and teams are actively inquiring about his availability.
Despite his heightened role, Johnson is still on the trade block as the Nets continue their rebuilding phase.
Entering their game against the Heat with an 11-16 record, the team’s focus is on developing the players they have while maximizing the value of those they might trade away.
According to reports, Johnson is projected to have the highest trade value among the Nets’ veterans on the block, which also includes Dennis Schroder (before his trade) and Dorian Finney-Smith.
Reports now indicate that both Sacramento and Oklahoma City are among the teams interested in Johnson.
Currently enjoying a career year, Johnson is averaging 19.1 points per game on 48.8 percent shooting, including 42.2 percent from three-point range.
He’s been tasked with not only using his shooting ability but also developing playmaking skills to create opportunities for his teammates. With Cam Thomas, the team’s leading scorer, sidelined since November 25, Johnson has even become the Nets’ primary offensive option.
However, the team’s reshuffling has placed Johnson in a tougher spot. After Schroder was traded and Finney-Smith was unavailable for a game against Utah, Johnson became the primary target for the opposing defense.
Despite managing 18 points and five assists on 7-for-15 shooting, he struggled, making only 2 of 9 attempts from beyond the arc and committing six turnovers as he tried to navigate unfamiliar passing windows under heavy defensive pressure.
Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez acknowledged Johnson’s struggles, pointing out that while the intentions were good, the execution wasn’t always there.
“The one thing — obviously good job on them for blitzing CJ — but six turnovers to five assists, it’s not good enough,” Fernandez said. “The intentions were good, he was throwing the pass to the short roll. It was just the execution was not good.”
Johnson’s experience in facing defensive blitzes is relatively new. During his time with Phoenix, he was primarily used as a catch-and-shoot player, positioned on the wings to space the floor for stars like Devin Booker and Chris Paul.
However, under Fernandez’s system, he’s expanded his role, playing more off the dribble and becoming more effective with handoffs. The increased attention from opposing defenses is a new challenge for him, particularly with Schroder gone and Thomas injured.
This season, Johnson’s first experience with constant blitzing came in a December 6 game against Atlanta, where he managed just six points on 3-for-10 shooting with five turnovers. Despite the struggles, both Johnson and the Nets took away valuable lessons from the encounter.
Now, Johnson and the team will have to adjust again. Fernandez emphasized the need for better floor spacing and execution when facing double teams. “If they don’t [know], it’s my fault,” he said. “We should have known how to space the floor versus blitz, especially the middle of the floor.”
While the Nets are focused on rebuilding and securing a high lottery pick, they are also working on developing their players and building a strong team culture. Johnson’s growth this season is a significant part of that process.
Other teams have taken notice of his development. The Oklahoma City Thunder are reportedly keeping an eye on his availability.
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings are said to have “significant interest” in Johnson, while Finney-Smith is of “lesser” interest to the Kings.
Johnson, who is both a better player and on a more team-friendly contract for the next two years, is expected to fetch a higher return in a trade than Finney-Smith. His development this season is a key part of the Nets’ long-term rebuilding plan.
