Sources said the Detroit Pistons are interested in restricted free agent Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson. The 6-foot-8 forward has a qualifying bid of $8,468,620 for the 2023-24 season. Johnson was selected 11th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2019 NBA Draft.
The UNC product was then promptly traded to the Phoenix Suns. In July 2019, Johnson signed a four-year, $18.59 million contract extension with the team. This past February, Johnson, Mikal Bridges and five first-round draft picks were dealt to Brooklyn in favor of Kevin Durant and TJ Warren.
On many NBA betting sites, the Detroit Pistons have 29th-ranked odds of winning a championship next season in 2024. Sportsbooks give the Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers better odds.
Brooklyn Nets news:
The Brooklyn Nets are a team that can “wink” in the Bradley Beal sweepstakes, per @tweet.
Cam Johnson is a primary target for the Detroit Pistons and Monty Williams, at @tweet. The Nets are confident they can re-sign him.
re-sign… pic.twitter.com/nShaWVPkhb
– Andy (@AndyJPuente) June 16, 2023
League sources say Cam Johnson stands out [and rising] On Detroit’s list of free agent targets, The Stein Line’s Mark Stein wrote on Friday. Naturally, the Brooklyn-bound replacement agent would have a huge new fan in Motown after the Pistons hired Monte Williams as coach — Johnson’s former coach in Phoenix.
Despite this, the Nets quietly express confidence that they’ve convinced Johnson all together to re-sign, or that they’ll match whatever outside offer they need to keep him.
Detroit Pistons target Brooklyn Nets restricted free agent Cam Johnson, a forward who played for former Suns coach Monty Williams
In addition, Johnson had the best season of his NBA career. In the 42 games split between the Suns and Nets in the 2022-23 season, the fourth-year winger averaged career highs of 15.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 28.5 minutes per game. In addition, he caught career bests with 47% from the floor and 40.4% from center field.
In 25 starts with Brooklyn last season, Johnson averaged 16.6 points, 4.8 boards, 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 30.8 minutes per game. Of course, in the Nets’ 123-114 win over the Houston Rockets on March 29, the forward scored a career-high 31 points in 36 minutes of play.
Furthermore, in Brooklyn’s Round 1 loss against the Philadelphia 76ers of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, Johnson posted 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 38 minutes per game.
Monty Williams was reportedly “enjoying” a reunion with Cam Johnson in Detroit. But will the Nets match any offer sheet Johnson receives, RFA?
If it is likely to be the former # children The coach and player will be with the Pistons: https://t.co/Lg9XkSLp02 pic.twitter.com/SShFgMcN24
– Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) June 16, 2023
In the Nets’ 96-84 Game 2 loss to the Sixers, the forward scored 28 points as a starter in 41 minutes. He finished shooting 11-of-19 (57.9%) from the field and drained five three-pointers.
All things considered, will the Detroit Pistons add Cam Johnson? The Pennsylvania native can help support Kady Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Doreen. Most importantly, Monty Williams was sad to see Johnson and Michael Bridges traded away.
“These are two people that I will always be in touch with and love,” Williams said after the deal. On Thursday, Johnson also pledged to represent Team USA at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, joining his former coach.