MIAMI — With much of the Nets' Opening Night offense leaving through injury or trade, Cam Johnson has increasingly shouldered the burden of the offense.
That's highlighted by how other teams are starting to treat Johnson, teams playing against the Nets are starting to blitz him, and how the teams inquiring about him are. are.
But the Nets are rebuilding, entering Monday's game against the Heat at 11-16, and this gap year is all about developing the players they have and getting the most out of the ones they move.
The paper notes that not only have the Nets received calls regarding Johnson, but league sources also believe Johnson's value among Nets veterans on the trade block such as Dennis Schroder (before he was fired) and Dorian Finney-Smith. reported that it is expected to be the highest.
Reports now list Sacramento and Oklahoma City as interested parties.
Johnson is in the midst of a career year, averaging 19.1 points on 48.8 percent shooting and 42.2 percent from deep. He is tasked with developing playmaking skills that harness his gravity and create for others.
And with leading scorer Cam Thomas sidelined since Nov. 25, Johnson is also the Nets' first offensive option.
But with Schroder traded away last week and Finney-Smith sidelined Saturday, Johnson was at the top of Utah's scouting report. It didn't work.
Johnson was repeatedly caught in the trap, and despite posting 18 points and five assists on 7-of-15 shooting, he was only 2-of-9 from deep and struggled to squeeze passes out of unfamiliar windows. As a result, he committed six turnovers.
“One thing is that CJ obviously did well, but six turnovers and five assists is not enough,'' coach Jordi Fernandez said. “The intent was right, he was throwing a pass in a short roll, it was just the execution wasn’t good.
“Most of the time he knew what we were supposed to do, he just had never been in that position. Every time Cam Thomas was blitzed, we had a great execution. I went there. Every time I turned it over and got hit by electricity many times. [it’s bad]. He was better in the second half, but we definitely paid the price for the turnovers. ”
Fernandes is right. Johnson has never experienced that before. During his time in Phoenix, he was used almost exclusively as a catch-and-shoot option, stationed at the corner to space the floor for Devin Booker and Chris Paul.
He expanded his game under Fernandes, making more plays off the dribble and suddenly becoming more efficient on handoffs. But with Schroder's departure and Thomas' absence, the blitz is new.
And while Johnson punished doubles, he had to learn how to do it. Last season, he was on a scoring spree when he faced a scoring streak for the first time on Dec. 6 in Atlanta.
Johnson scored just six points on 3-of-10 shooting with five turnovers, but he and the Nets grew from the experience.
Now, Johnson and his teammates will have to make the same adjustment.
“In recognition of their achievements, [but] I think my guys should know. If I don't, it's my fault,” Fernandes said. “But we should have known how to space the floor and the blitz, especially the middle of the floor.
“For the most part, when we executed correctly, we got the shot we wanted. Obviously, turning things around is not what we should be doing, we've got to get better.” No.”
Of course, it's important to remember that the Nets are rebuilding, are actually tanking, and their final game will be a high lottery pick.
But it's also about developing their culture and roster. As Johnson demonstrated, this includes mid-career growth.
And the opposing team noticed it too.
According to Bleacher Report, the Thunder are reportedly monitoring Johnson's availability.
Meanwhile, The Athletic reported that there is “significant interest” in the forward for the Kings, with Finney-Smith sparking “somewhat” interest in Fernandes' former club.
Both being the better player and on a friendly contract for the next two years (only 13% of the cap each), Johnson will get a higher return than Finney-Smith.
That's partially due to his growth, and that should be the objective of this rebuilding season.
