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NBA Trade Rumors: Cam Johnson Linked to Lakers, Magic, Kings amid Nets Buzz

Paul Kasabian

The Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings and Orlando Magic have interest in Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post.

Lewis' report follows a June 30 report from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, who mentioned the Kings, Toronto Raptors and the Indiana Pacers as other interested parties.

Brooklyn is entering a full-scale rebuild after trading Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks. The 28-year-old Johnson, who has three years and nearly $69 million left on his contract, could very well be next.

The 6'8" Johnson has played five NBA seasons. He just averaged 13.4 points on 44.6 percent shooting (39.1 percent from three), 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 27.6 minutes per game. His outside shooting ability obviously is drumming up interest among contenders, and it's tanking season in Brooklyn, especially with a star-studded draft class of 2025 en route.

"The day the Nets traded Johnson's longtime friend Mikal Bridges and signaled their intent to tank, that put veterans such as Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Dennis Schroder, Ben Simmons and Bojan Bogdanovic on the trade block," Lewis noted.

"But the latter trio are all playing on expiring deals, so they could be kept to preserve 2025 cap space. Moving Johnson and Finney-Smith seems logical, with the Johnson projected to fetch more in return."

Ultimately, there isn't a reason for the Nets to keep Johnson this season. The Nets may wait until the 2025 trade deadline to field a better trade package, but with Brooklyn looking to rebuild, it's best for both parties for Johnson to head elsewhere.

Breaking it down a bit more, the Lakers, Kings and Magic would all make sense. L.A. needs more perimeter help to alleviate the burden on LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Sacramento is going for it after dealing for DeMar DeRozan to complement De'Aaron Fox and Domatas Sabonis. And the Magic, fresh off a playoff appearance and hungry for more, could use more scoring help after struggling offensively.

So it could be a matter of when, where and for what at this point with Johnson, whose Nets tenure appears headed for an end.

   

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