This deal takes place on the day of the trade deadline due to restrictions that would prohibit this deal from happening until January 15th.

Brooklyn Nets

Cameron Johnson appears to be the most like player that will be traded next in Brooklyn’s mid-season roster tear down, and he is the most valuable player they are likely willing to move on from. He provides very efficient offense as a known shooter with a true shooting percentage of 66%. He will inevitably be coveted by contending teams who wish to significantly bolster their offense without selling the house to acquire a superstar player. It is believed that the Brooklyn Nets wish to receive two first round selections in exchange for Cameron Johnson, and this trade gives them just that. They receive a 2025 Miami Heat first round pick that is lottery protected, and they receive a 2027 Denver Nuggets first round pick that is top six protected. This adds to their arsenal of drafts picks that they have been building up for the last couple of years, and it will give them potentially five first round picks in next years draft. They are continuing to equip themselves with as many opportunities as possible to draft good players that can become the new core they build around. They also are obtaining a very solid role player in Isaiah Joe. He hasn’t been as good as he was last season, but he still has value as a good two-way player who can knock down multiple threes per night. This, in total, is good value for Cameron Johnson in a trade. Brooklyn will have a difficult time moving on from him due to his value as an offensive player, but this package helps them continue setting up their future, and that is what they are prioritizing now.

Oklahoma City Thunder

It is rumoured that the Oklahoma City Thunder are interested in acquiring Cameron Johnson in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets. This makes a lot of sense for them due to their poor consistency as a team with three point shooting efficiency this season, and it never hurts to have another skilled offensive player on your roster. Cameron Johnson is a valuable role player because of his offensive efficiency, so he does not come as a cheap price. The Thunder are moving on from Isaiah Joe, Kenrich Williams, and two first round picks in order to acquire Cameron. There will be some who view this as an overpay, but I believe it is worth it for Oklahoma. Those first round picks shouldn’t be a problem for them, as they are entering a stage where drafting young prospects will become less of a priority due to their status as a contender. Moving Isaiah Joe will hurt given the value he provided in contrast with his contract in the past, but he makes the most sense as the odd man out among the potential contracts that can be used as salary matcher in any trade. Cameron is clearly a better player than both of the players they are trading, and the likelihood that they will draft a player who ends up being better with one of those picks is low due to them having less room to give younger players minutes in the foreseeable future. This is a move that improves their roster and fills a need. I would not hesitate to be completely on board for Cameron Johnson trade if this package were acceptable in Brooklyn’s eyes if I was in OKC’s front office, which I believe it will be.