Report: Kings have interest in trading for Cameron Johnson

Jul 25, 2024, 12:01 PM | Updated: 12:03 pm

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 13: Cameron Johnson #2 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the NBA game ...

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

It’s been an overall successful offseason for the Sacramento Kings, but general manager Monte McNair is still searching for ways to upgrade the roster.

According to The New York Post‘s Brian Lewis, Sacramento is among several teams that have an interest in trading for Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson.

Johnson, 28, is a five-year veteran who could be on the move this offseason as Brooklyn continues its latest rebuild efforts. Earlier this summer, the Nets dealt forward Mikal Bridges to the cross-town rival New York Knicks in return for Bojan Bogdanovic and five first-round picks.

If Johnson is the next domino to fall for Brooklyn, the Kings could come calling in an effort to upgrade its forward depth.

While the Kings, Magic and Lakers are interested, one recent report claimed the Spurs, Raptors or Warriors could be a “dark horse.”

The New York Post‘s Brian Lewis – July 23, 2024

More on Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson

Cameron Johnson has been a serviceable wing during his NBA career.

Over five seasons (283 games) with the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets, the 6’8 forward holds averages of 11.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists on 45 percent shooting from the field and 37 percent from three-point range.

Johnson’s contract has two years and $47 million remaining, and his salary for the 2024-25 season is $21.5 million.

Any trade for Johnson involving the Kings would likely have to include guard Kevin Huerter ($16.8 million salary in 2024-25) and recently acquired forward Jalen McDaniels ($4.7 million) to make the salaries work, but Sacramento could also find other ways to make the deal happen.

Since he was traded from Toronto to the Kings on June 28th, Sacramento can’t trade McDaniels with another player until August 28th due to the NBA’s aggregate trade restriction.

The Kings would also likely have to part with draft compensation to acquire Johnson, as Brooklyn will surely be looking to cash in on its best remaining trade chip.

Sacramento has made a couple of splashes in free agency by re-signing Sixth Man of the Year runner-up Malik Monk to a four-year deal and luring six-time All-Star forward DeMar DeRozan into the fold on a three-year pact.

While the moves to retain Monk and bring in DeRozan have helped the Kings take a step forward, they still have holes on the roster–mostly at the forward spots, where they currently have just four players under contract: DeRozan, Keegan Murray, Trey Lyles, and Jalen McDaniels.

Acquiring Johnson would be another splashy move for McNair, but Sacramento will have plenty of competition on the trade market. If any deal is to take place, keep an eye on August 28th, when the Kings are able to move McDaniels, as any other deal would require the inclusion of other players for salary purposes.

When is the next Sacramento Kings offseason date of interest?

The dog days of the NBA offseason have arrived.

Sacramento will continue to look to add to its roster before players report for training camp at the end of September. The Kings currently have two open roster spots that general manager Monte McNair will have to fill in the coming weeks and months.

Be sure to stay locked into Sactown Sports for all of your Sacramento Kings news on player signings, trades, game recaps, and more for the upcoming season.

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