One NBA writer believes the Brooklyn Nets will re-sign small forward Cameron Johnson this summer in restricted free agency.
Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report thinks the Indiana Pacers will offer Johnson a four-year, $100 million offer sheet and that the Nets will match it.
“Rebuilders such as the Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets would be wise to tender offer sheets, as would teams further along in the construction process like the Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz. Throw in the Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs for completeness’ sake,” Hughes wrote. “All that competition will drive prices skyward, which means the Nets must prepare themselves to match a nine-figure offer if they want to retain Johnson’s services over the next four seasons.
“Prediction: The Nets match the Indiana Pacers’ four-year, $100 million offer sheet to keep Johnson.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets & Indiana Pacers Updates
The Nets acquired Johnson from the Phoenix Suns in the Kevin Durant trade. The UNC product averaged 16.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 games with Brooklyn while shooting 46.8% from the field, 37.2% from beyond the arc and 85.1% from the free-throw line.
As a restricted free agent, Johnson can either re-sign with the Nets or sign an offer sheet with a rival team. Brooklyn can match any offer sheet Johnson signs as long as it comes within 48 hours.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets & Indiana Pacers Updates
The Nets got swept by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2023 playoffs. Johnson, 27, told reporters during his end-of-the-season press conference that he would like to re-sign with Brooklyn.
“The 6’8″ combo forward is a career 39.3 percent shooter from beyond the arc and proved he could contribute to a winner by logging major minutes for Phoenix Suns teams that made the Finals in 2021 and won 64 games the following season,” Hughes wrote. “Throw in three straight years of positive Defensive Estimated Plus/Minus figures, headlined by 2022-23’s plus-1.9, which ranked in the 96th percentile, and you’ve got the premium plug-and-play support piece everyone covets.”
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