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Cam Johnson remains at top of trade talk ahead of Nets game vs. Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Nets are winless without Cam Johnson and are about to face the team with the highest winning percentage in the NBA. What could go wrong?

They are scheduled to face the Western Conference-leading Thunder on Sunday, but Johnson's status is very much up in the air.

The forward, who has been linked with various trade rumors, has missed the past two games and seven of the past eight games due to a sprained right ankle, and is doubtful to play against Oklahoma City.

Cam Johnson reacts after making a 3-pointer against the Raptors in the first game of the season. Dan Hamilton Iman images

When Johnson isn't playing, the Nets are 0-9 and have outscored the Nets by a total of 173 points. But they're not going to risk their best shooter, and most valuable asset, by rushing him out on the court before he's ready. Or be ready for more.

“It's too early [to know] Right now,'' coach Jordi Fernandez said of Johnson's availability on Sunday. “He does a great job of trying to stay healthy, working every day and spending time with the group.

“And that's what we value most, that's his energy right now, his voice. And he was still working. [every] There's no reason to have to make a decision now in the morning, right? We want all of our players to be 100% healthy and back, and we will make decisions whenever the time is right. ”

The Nets have a number of important decisions to make regarding Johnson.

The up-and-coming Thunder are not only the next opponent on the schedule (heading into the weekend they own a 34-7 record, tied for the most wins in the league), but have also been linked to Johnson as a potential trade candidate. It is also rumored that

The Nets, who are in the midst of an aggressive rebuild, have predictably been the team that moves the trade market. Since Dec. 15, they have made multiple deals, including seven players and seven second-round picks.

Head coach Jordi Fernandez responded during the second half of the Nets' blowout loss to the Trail Blazers. Getty Images

Brooklyn executed the only trade in which a player makes more than $10 million. They are involved in four of the highest paid players ever exchanged. Dorian Finney-Smith and Dennis Schroder left, and De'Anthony Melton and D'Angelo Russell came in. Russell's $18.7 million is the highest.

If they move him, Johnson will be better than that. But it is not a fait accompli.

Johnson, who is on a mid-career breakthrough, is averaging 19.6 points on 49.6/42.8/89.7 shooting splits, approaching the 50/40/90 benchmark achieved by only nine players in NBA history. . He's the most coveted player on the trade market right now, and perhaps the only difference-maker for a contender.

Cam Johnson made a basket in a game against the Raptors earlier this season and reacted after receiving a foul call. USA TODAY Sports (via Reuters Con)

“Obviously Cam is very important to us,” Fernandez said. “He not only catches and shoots, but he also has great movement and can play off the dribble and make the right plays.”

Johnson is also an important asset. But unlike Schroder and Finney-Smith, he's a chip that doesn't need to be cashed in.

The Nets would not be willing to move him for less than two first-round picks, or the equivalent, according to sources. He has been linked to a number of suitors, including Oklahoma City, Cleveland, Indiana and Sacramento.



However, The Stein Line is now reporting that the Thunder may not play.

Stein Lein reported that “Oklahoma City is one team we're excluding from our list of suitors for Cam Johnson,'' adding, “We have found no credible evidence of negotiations between Johnson and OKC.'' No…even though those conversations are ongoing, the Thunder, like the Cavaliers, don't want to upset a roster that is firmly at the top of the conference.

With the trade deadline approaching on February 6th, there are a variety of stances being taken. But the reality is that Johnson's mitigation contract is designed to be team-friendly, with his cap hit just 13 percent for the next two seasons. He's still young at 28 years old, and the Nets could easily keep him at the deadline and sign him in the offseason. Or not at all.

Stein Lein believes that if the Nets choose to pull the trigger, the Kings have the best chance of acquiring Johnson, with a package of first-rounders Kevin Huerter and Trey Lyles beating the offer. It was reported that the In any case, even if Johnson does play for the Thunder on Sunday, it won't be to be in a store window.

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