The Nets are shopping Cameron Johnson, but don’t get your hopes up

There are few players who strike a chord with the fanbase like former Phoenix Suns forwards Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson. “The Twins” were both players that the organization drafted, and as a part of a young core, shocked the world with an appearance in the 2021 NBA Finals.

Both were sent to the Brooklyn Nets in early 2023 in a deal that brought Kevin Durant to the Valley, and many will look to the transaction as a vital turning point for the Suns. It was a moment when James Jones, with Mat Ishbia owning the team for less than a week, chose experience and resume over effort and upside.

We can debate whether or not it was the right move. What is not up for debate is the love the fanbase has for both players.

When the Brooklyn Nets visited Phoenix last season, it was clear the fanbase hadn’t forgotten their contributions. Fans lined the tunnels, eager for a chance to show their appreciation and thank them for their time in Phoenix.

As a starter in Phoenix, Johnson averaged 13.9 points in 25.2 minutes, but after his trade to Brooklyn, his numbers climbed to 16.6 points per game, showcasing his potential.

Recognizing his growth, the Nets gave Johnson something the Suns withheld in the summer of 2022: a long-term commitment. He secured a four-year, $108 million extension in the offseason, a clear vote of confidence in his abilities.

However, with the Nets now pivoting toward a rebuild, Johnson’s future with the team has become uncertain. Despite his promise, the franchise is exploring trade options for the forward, signaling a new chapter both for him and the organization.

Whenever we see this, we get excited. Cam is one of ours. He was someone that everyone was low on after being selected with the 11th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. James Jones took a gamble, opting to draft a player with an elite skill — three-point shooting — who was a bit older rather than swinging for upside. And the gamble worked. Johnson came to Phoenix and shot 39.6% from deep during his three-and-a-half years with the team.

He still makes his home here in Phoenix and is seen regularly during the offseason, whether it be at a Phoenix Mercury game or getting up shots at Grand Canyon University. He must love Phoenix because hanging around here during the summertime is borderline psychotic behavior.

While the prospect of bringing Cameron Johnson back to Phoenix is undoubtedly enticing, the reality of his return remains highly improbable. At 28, Johnson has evolved into a key player who commands a sizable $23.6 million salary for the upcoming season, a figure the Suns would struggle to absorb under the strict financial limitations imposed by the NBA’s second apron tax.

For Phoenix, adding Johnson back would mean offloading a major contract. The harsh truth is that this move would almost certainly necessitate parting with a marquee player, potentially Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, or Kevin Durant. These are not just names on a spreadsheet but the pillars of the Suns’ championship aspirations. Trading away one of these cornerstones would risk disrupting the team’s chemistry, identity, and title hopes.

Although if the Suns could convince Beal to waive his no-trade clause...

What is interesting about Cameron Johnson’s contract is where it places him amongst salary totals in the NBA. His $23.6 million cap hit puts him at #74 in the league, per Salary Swish. Who is around him in that range?

• 72. Terry Rozier — $24.9 million
• 73. Draymond Green — $24.1 million
• 74. Cameron Johnson — $23.6 million
• 75. Kyle Kuzma — $23.5 million
• 76. DeMar DeRozan — $23.4 million
• 77. Mikal Bridges — $23.3 million

You read that right. Cameron Johnson makes more money than his fellow Twin, Mikal Bridges, who now resides with the New York Knicks.

My point? As much as we love Cameron Johnson for who and what he is, the Nets overpaid him. Even if the Suns could make a deal for him, the bang would not be worth the buck. Brooklyn is tearing it down to the ground and would surely ask for draft picks, another thing the Suns don't have much of in their vault.

Despite the frustrations of the past two seasons — fizzling out against the eventual NBA Champion Denver Nuggets in 2023 and suffering an embarrassing sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2024 — James Jones may have made the shrewd decision to sell high on Cameron Johnson at precisely the right time. The Suns, like Brooklyn in the summer of 2023, were inevitably going to face a tough choice: whether or not to commit to paying him a substantial contract.

Had Phoenix followed Brooklyn’s lead and paid Johnson, it’s likely they would have been locked into a decision that, in hindsight, may not have been the best. While Johnson is undoubtedly a stellar complementary player, offering him a significant contract could have constrained the Suns’ flexibility. Even though that path might not have left Phoenix quite as financially restricted as they are now, it’s an intriguing scenario to consider.

Instead of navigating that challenge, the Suns now have both Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal on their roster. Not to mention, they’ve also acquired Grayson Allen, a more cost-effective option who’s proven to be an even better three-point shooter. In retrospect, avoiding a hefty commitment to Johnson may have opened up doors that better position Phoenix for sustained success.

Wherever Cam Johnson’s journey takes him, there’s no doubt he’ll continue to have our support. His growth and impact during his time in Phoenix left a lasting impression, not just in stats, but in the hearts of fans who watched him blossom. From his clutch three-pointers to his calm demeanor in high-pressure moments, Cam became more than just a role player. He embodied the grit and determination that defined the Suns’ rise in recent years.

Though we won’t see him don the purple and orange anymore, the memories he created will always be intertwined with this chapter of Suns history. We’ll remember the excitement when he first stepped onto the court, the confidence in his shot, and the camaraderie he shared with his teammates. There’s a bittersweet sense of pride as we root for him from afar, knowing that wherever he goes, a piece of Phoenix goes with him.