Grizz could use more shooting and reliable wing depth, so Cam seems like a logical target. As far as the package, Ziaire may still draw some interest as a young wing who’d fit the Nets timeline far better (or help add more needed losses to the loss column) along with a few expirings in Luke and Rose to clear salaries. I can’t imagine more than a 1st and a few 2nds being needed to get a deal done, so flexibility here would still be maintained.
Thoughts? 🤔
Cam Johnson will be much useful than luke, z and Jake.
Plus he's contract is easy to trade. He can play the 3 or small ball 4. And had ton of playoff experience.
Luke + Z + Jake is about right on to match Cam.
If that is all it is going to take, hell, even an extra first, I say go for it.
But Luke is the only positive asset, Jake is barely neutral despite the furious finish, and Z is definitely negative. This is what Zach Lowe might call a pu-pu plater. I would think Nets can get something better. Sure, offer that platter, and see if that is good enough. I suspect not, and I wouldn't offer more.
When the 2nd apron reality hits, there might be better deals. I mean, freaking PG is available. No way that happens without the 2nd apron. We might want to be patient and keep our powder dry.
Warriors, Clippers, Suns, Bucks, and Celtics, King Kleinman should be circling around them like vultures.
I wouldn't even trade Jake for him.
Cam Johnson's production is terrible compared to his experience, age and salary. Just a one-dimensional shooter. Jake's production since March 1 has been good, sometimes even great. His shooting gradually improved, he got a lot of rebounds and steals and he showed some ability to handle the ball and pass.
Are you saying jake will be much more usefull than cam here? Lol
Cam and Mikal efficiency both suffered in the nets because they are playing with too much pressure and responsibility. They’re not no 1 or 2 option type of player.
If cam play here, he can play the way he does in the suns.
He’s of the best player they can get without trading smart. Cam as rotational player is 100% better than jake will be here.
Cam is only marginally better for exponentially higher salary. I just don't see the value. Jake seems to be on the uptrend. Averaged 10.8 points even though he played most of the season poorly. Cam averaged 13.4 ppg when he should've been carrying the Nets. Both are injury prone, but Jake is on a rookie contract. There's way less risk even if he doesn't pan out next season.
Not to mention, you're trading 2 other rotational pieces. Even if Z doesn't pan out next season, he's still cap relief as an expiring, and you potentially lose out on being able to use him for as filler for better deals. And you're trading Luke for a bigger, more expensive version of Luke. Like where is the value in that? Not to mention Cam Johnson's contract risks us not being able to resign Jaren without severe cap implications. Nets would need to attach picks for me to even consider taking their trash.
I do agree his defense has declined but I think it has more to do with situation than anything else. I really don’t think 23 mill is that bad when considering the rising cap and the immediate needs he’d fill. Right now Bane and Vince are the only 2 guys on the roster who can reliably shoot AND not be a defensive liability, so yeah his role would be pretty significant.
I actually went to lurk on the nets sub when the Bridges trade happened, most Nets fans seemed to think he is a net negative defender.
I can't say I watch lots of Nets games, so I only have their words to go by. If he is not a plus defender, we might as well hope GG and Jake continue to shoot well, Kennard can sign a reasonable extension, and our rookies, who we draft specifically for shooting work out, and keep our powders dry.
If King Kleinman believes he can be a plus defender, I have faith in our FO. But we know the guy can shoot, him not being too hot of a commodity kinda proves his defense is kinda sus, no?
You're not gonna get everything in every player. We have wing guys, namely Bane and VWJ who can cover for his weaknesses. He's a puzzle piece, not the whole thing.
I agree we won't get everything in every player, but if my guy is gonna cost us 23 mil per and push us towards the second apron, he can't just bring only the 3 and not the D. We got Kennard at 14 mil per for that. Heck, we got two rookies on the two-way who are shooting 43% from the 3 and would try their heart out on D. I heard the white boy is practically mental.
So unless you are telling me Cam Johnson is a plus defender, which most people are saying he isn't, I just don't feel too cozy about this.
Cam is definitely an option. Health is a concern, and I'm not sure he is gonna be a positive defender. If we are giving someone Smart's starting spot, it's gotta be to a good wing defender who can also shoot. Cam Johnson can definitely shoot, but it's an uncertainty if he is gonna be able to fit in in its defensive schemes. He's got the length and athleticism for it, so maybe. From that same brand, I'd also look at De'Andre Hunter from the Hawks. That's a great defender and an above average shooter. Also, Wiggins, maybe? He could make a comeback.
Hunter is pretty overrated as a defender from what I hear. One of those "the idea of them is greater than the output" kind of guys.
I hear that a lot too, but that's fine. He doesn't have to be amazing. Just being a positive defender at the wing and being an above average shooter at that size is enough, I think.
The part I've alway found weird with him is that he's 6'8" with a 7'2" wingspan, but averages 4.8 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 0.4 blocks per 36 minutes for his career. Really doesn't seem to affect much with his length at all. Career .353 shooter from downtown with a .561 TS% as well, has played 263 of a possible 390 regular season games. Not especially effective at the 3 or the D parts, and isn't especially durable either, and is owed nearly $70M over the next 3 years. It's a pass from me.
His stats don't show very well, but he is a positive defender. You just gotta watch him do his thing. And like those shooting percentages are fine. That's what you would expect from a 4th/5th option. The health is a problem indeed, but that also means we can get him for cheaper.
Both of these are still plenty of money though, over 20 mil per each.
If I can bend King Kleinman's ears, I would look into Dean Wade. He got good size and was a smart and capable defender, able to cover the 3/4 positions, which are the guys we should worry about. The ones who are too fast for Jaren and too big for Marcus/Vince.
He wasn't too good of a motion 3 point shooter, but if you leave the man alone in the corner, he hits them at an extremely high clip. And the Ja/Edey pick & roll will generate tons of those. You definitely will allow a Dean Wade corner 3 before a easy Ja layup or let Edey roll to the basket without rotating.
And best of all, dude makes only 6 mil. We can do Z for him straight up, maybe we throw in a 2nd. Jitty matches too, but I am particularly fond of Jitty and believe his 3 will be back
Dean Wade is just a rotation guy there. With Cavs' future uncertain, it could be an opportunity to snag him. Way less of a risk to the cap.
If we are going for a wing, I would be looking for a starter caliber guy. I meant cheap as in what we have to give up to get them. And 20 mil is something we can deal with. Trade Luke and Ziarie in the deal, and it's fine.
I am of the different opinion that we should trade for rotation calibre guy. Both Hunter and Cam are rotation level wings that get paid close to a starter level guy, and neither is a major improvement over Smart. In fact, I know we can count on Smart's defense on elite SF, he had always been better at defending SF types instead of POA types. Also, I believe in GG and his potential, I don't want to pay some mediocre failed 3&D prototypes 23 mil a year for the next 3 years, when GG might be ready for prime time next year.
The true SF starter level guys are the OGs and Mikael Bridges level guys, borderline all stars, top of the food chain role players, and even those are way above what we can afford. I am for getting those, but we tried and failed on both. Everyone at Hunter or Cam's level? They won't get there, otherwise they would have already been there. IMHO, I don't think they are worth it unless like you said Luke + Z get it done, and I don't think is enough in the bidding. But I guess we could offer that and kick the tire, no harm in that. If somehow we land one at that cost, I would be content.
Still prefer Z for Dean Wade though.
Yeah, it all depends on the price, tbh. I just think that we saved a lot of money having Edey being our main center, so we can afford to pay around 20 milion to a guy who may not be worth it, but fills a need that we have.
Wiggins and two firsts for Smart lol
LOL could happen
I wouldn’t hate it but I would much rather the minutes go to Vince and GG. Of course I would take anyone for Z and Jake lol
Yes.
His defense is not that great, right?
23 mil per is a lot of money unless we are convinced he is the missing piece. He is about 9 mil more expensive than Luke, and I think we are about 10 mil under the 2nd apron, which is a total cold bitch.
I just get a bad feeling about it.