With several teams adding players on the official first day of NBA free agency, the Brooklyn Nets’ first move Friday was retention as they reportedly agreed to a four-year, $108 million contract with forward Cam Johnson.
Johnson’s agent told ESPN of the new deal, which keeps a key starter on the squad as it has moved past the short-lived experiments with superstars Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and, previously, James Harden.
Johnson, 27, came to Brooklyn last season in the Durant package that sent him to the Phoenix Suns — and Johnson saw his minutes (30.8 per game with Nets, up from 25.2 last season in Phoenix) and scoring increase (16.6 ppg with Nets, 13.9 with Suns) in Brooklyn.
He upped his scoring average to 18.5 ppg and shot over 50 percent from the field in the playoffs, albeit in Brooklyn’s four-game sweep loss against against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Combined with both teams in 2022-23, Johnson posted career-high averages in nearly every offensive category — including points (15.5), rebounds (4.4), assists (1.9), steals (1.2) and shooting percentage (47.0) in 42 games (41 starts). He also knocked down 40.4 percent of his 3-point tries last season.
Johnson only played in 42 games last season. He missed 37 due to a meniscus tear in his right knee while still with Phoenix.
In his four seasons, Johnson has career averages of 11.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 225 games (77 starts).
–Field Level Media