Because the Nets put together for a six-game Western highway journey, they is perhaps getting a going away current.
Following the Nets’ 113-98 loss to the Pistons on Wednesday night time at Barclays Middle, head coach Jordi Fernandez mentioned he believes Cam Johnson will return from a sprained ankle and play on the journey that’s set to start on Friday in opposition to the Nuggets.
“We believe so. But, again, we’re not going to rush anything. Whenever he’s cleared and he feels good,” Fernandez mentioned. “He’s young, but he’s a vet and I trust him. I don’t want him to go too early to risk anything. I just want it to be 100 percent because then he makes us better. He makes us compete better and that just helps the rest of the group. He’s in good spirits. Feels good. He’s been working. It’s just good to have him around.”
Johnson, a sixth-year ahead, has been out three video games since struggling the harm to his ankle in opposition to the Bucks on Jan. 2 when Ziaire Williams fell on his teammate’s foot whereas grabbing a late-game rebound.
With out Johnson, Williams and Jalen Wilson have taken over the load with Cam Thomas (hamstring), Ben Simmons (calf soreness and decrease again administration) additionally sitting out the previous three video games as properly.
D’Angelo Russell (shin) has additionally missed the previous two whereas solely enjoying by means of the primary half of Saturday’s 76ers sport.
Johnson’s availability and journey plans had one other wrinkle, because the No. 11 draft decide of the 2019 NBA Draft has had a number of commerce rumors swirling round his identify with curiosity reportedly from the Kings, Pacers, and Thunder forward of the Feb. 6 deadline.
There have been additionally reviews linking Johnson to the Grizzlies and Lakers, in line with Jake Fischer.
NetsDaily reported a supply saying that every one the rumors round Johnson are “inaccurate.”
Johnson is in the midst of his four-year, $94.5 million contract and the 28-year-old ahead is averaging 19.5 factors whereas taking pictures 49.6 % from the sector and 43.6 % from past the arc.
It’s believed the Nets is not going to give Johnson away simply and any deal probably would come with or be equal to the worth of two first-round picks.
In his second consecutive begin this season and fourth with the Nets, Tyrese Martin earned his first profession double-double with 12 factors and 10 rebounds (profession excessive).
Noah Clowney’s career-high night time of 29 factors makes the 20-year-old ahead the youngest Web in franchise historical past to tally 25 or extra factors, 5 or extra rebounds, and 5 or extra 3-pointers in a single sport.
