This yr’s commerce deadline reshaped a lot of the NBA, however the Nets stay unchanged.
They stood pat, holding on to Cam Johnson as anticipated.
Regardless of Johnson having his identify thrown into incessant commerce rumors — linked at numerous instances to the Warriors, Pacers, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Lakers and Thunder — The Submit had reported all week that he wasn’t being shopped and was unlikely to be dealt.
The deadline got here and went at 3 p.m. Thursday, and Johnson was nonetheless a Web. Beginning heart Nic Claxton and backup Day’Ron Sharpe are, too, regardless of Sharpe drawing curiosity over the previous week.
Different entrance places of work reached out to common supervisor Sean Marks, however none got here up with a concrete provide to persuade the Nets to maneuver Johnson.
“If I felt the need to go speak to him about something, or I catch wind of something that I want to bring up to [Marks], then I will,” Johnson had instructed The Submit. “He has a job to do. I’ve a job to do. And that’s what I’m targeted on proper now.
“And right now, my job is to play for this team and to contribute to this team and to try to do all those things. And his job is to manage the group. So I’m not [worried]. If there’s something that I need to know, then I trust he’ll tell me, my agent will tell me. And [I’m] going from there.”
Johnson isn’t going wherever … no less than not this season.
The ahead is having fun with a mid-career breakthrough, averaging 19.3 factors on sterling .488/.417/.902 capturing splits.
On a team-friendly descending contract that can depend simply 13 % towards the wage cap the following two seasons, the Nets definitely may revisit shifting Johnson on draft night time or in the summertime.
And at simply 28 years outdated, he’s nonetheless younger sufficient that he might be a part of their staff ought to they goal for a shorter rebuild.
Whereas some tank-happy followers wished to see Johnson moved merely on the hopes of shifting up within the lottery standings, Toronto’s commerce for Brandon Ingram may assist the Nets catch the Raptors for fifth within the lottery odds.
However the Nets weren’t procuring Johnson and have been going to should be provided a big return to vary their minds.
Three second-round picks seemed to be the going charge for stable veterans, a degree that was pushed residence a number of instances at this deadline.
Clearly, Johnson has extra worth than that to the Nets.
Marks — who has by no means picked inside the highest 20 — spent Wednesday at Rutgers scouting three potential lottery picks.
Dylan Harper returned from harm with 28 factors, and Ace Bailey added 18 factors and 11 rebounds in RU’s 82-73 win over Illinois.
Harper helped maintain Kasparas Jakucionis to only seven factors and two assists on 2-for-8 capturing with three turnovers.
It was no less than Marks’ fifth journey to Piscataway. He additionally lately scouted Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe and BYU’s Egor Demin.
