Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks was extremely busy and productive during the first day of NBA free agency.
It started with Brooklyn moving off Joe Harris and his $19.9 million price tag for the 2023-24 season in a salary dump with the Detroit Pistons, yielding a mere two future second-round picks in the process.
That cleared the way for Brooklyn to sign restricted free agent Cam Johnson as free agency opened up Friday evening. Various media reports indicate that the deal is worth $108 million over four years.
It was certainly an early offseason priority for the Nets to retain one of the key players they acquired in the blockbuster that sent Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns during February’s in-season NBA trade deadline. Given the money thrown around at the early stages of NBA free agency, getting Johnson locked up at $27 million seems to be a steal.
Selected No. 11 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft out of North Carolina, Johnson turned into a darn good starter during his brief stay with the Brooklyn Nets a season ago. He averaged 16.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 37% shooting from distance in 25 games (all starts) after being acquired from Brooklyn.
Related: Brooklyn Nets deal Joe Harris to the Detroit Pistons in latest NBA trade
Brooklyn Nets have productive first day of NBA free agency
Not only did Brooklyn rid itself of Harris’ contract, but the team also created a $19.9 million traded player exception. The Nets will be able to use that as an asset as the summer progresses.
Also, by getting Cam Johnson locked in at $27 million annually, the Nets now have the non-taxpayer midlevel exception to offer up to another free agent. The value of said exception is $12.4 million this summer.
The Nets are coming off a surprise appearance in the NBA Playoffs after trading away both Durant and Kyrie Irving. Two primary reasons for that, Johnson and fellow forward Mikal Bridges, will seemingly remain with the team over the long term. Not too shabby.