NBA Trade Rumors: Cam Johnson Has 'Many' Suitors; Nets Will Have Steep Asking Price

Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson is reportedly a hot commodity leading up to the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline.

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, Johnson has "many" suitors, although the Nets have made it clear to interested teams that it will cost a "steeper price" to acquire Johnson than it did for the Golden State Warriors to land Dennis Schröder and the Los Angeles Lakers to obtain Dorian Finney-Smith.

The Nets reportedly plan on trying to sign or trade for a star during the offseason and view Johnson as an important piece to that puzzle in that he could either be part of a trade for a star or be a quality complementary piece alongside said star.

Given that Johnson is under contract through the 2026-27 season, the Nets don't have to trade him, which is reportedly a big reason why the asking price is high.

The 28-year-old Johnson arrived in Brooklyn in February 2023 as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns.

Johnson's first full season with the Nets in 2023-24 was somewhat disappointing, as he averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.4 three-pointers made per game, while shooting 44.6 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from beyond the arc.

He has bounced back in a big way this season, though, putting up a career-high 19.5 points per game to go along with 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 three-pointers made and 3.0 assists on 49.6 percent shooting from the floor and 43.6 percent shooting from deep.

Johnson has arguably been the Nets' best player this season, and he could be in line to put up even bigger numbers in the week leading up to the trade deadline now that Schröder and FInney-Smith are no longer on the team.

Although they are just 13-21, the Nets have exceeded expectations to some degree, as they are just two games out of the last postseason play-in spot in the Eastern Conference.

Johnson is a big reason why, and he could keep the Nets in contention if they don't trade him, even though Brooklyn is clearly in rebuilding mode and is looking ahead to next season and beyond.

It is easy to see why there is significant interest in Johnson, as he is among the most efficient three-point shooters in the NBA this season, and is doing it as a 6'8" power forward.

Johnson is a true floor stretcher who can open things up for other dangerous scorers or knock down shots when he is left open, and those skills would be hugely valuable to any contending team.

The Nets are apparently well aware of that, though, which is why any team who trades for him would likely have to part with a substantial package of draft picks and players.

While it is possible the Nets will receive an offer they can't refuse, they could just as easily keep him since having him in the fold to pair with an incoming star would likely make the transition from rebuilding to contending far quicker and smoother.