Nets will have to decide what will be Cam Johnson's role next season
Nets forward Cam Johnson looks on against the Hawks in the second half of an NBA game at Barclays Center on Feb. 29. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Cam Johnson took the positive side of a Nets season that’s been painful and disappointing, especially after signing a four-year, $94 million contract last summer.
“It’s part of the game, shots, whatever, injuries,” Johnson said after returning from missing two games with a sprained left toe. “They all come, happens to everybody. I still feel like I’ve got a lot of basketball left in me and so I’m going to focus on what’s ahead and not what’s in the past.”
The 6-8 forward played just 58 games this year due to various leg-related ailments. He had 13 points Wednesday in the Nets’ 106-102 win over the Raptors in their regular season home finale at Barclays Center.
It’s fueled questions about his durability, especially after just playing 42 games last season. But a bigger concern is his future role since he lost his starting spot after the All-Star break.
Johnson’s been a reserve for 10 of the 17 Nets (32-48) games he’s played after the break. It’s surprising for someone supposed to be a face of the Nets’ next era.
His 13.4 points per game entering Wednesday on 44.5% field-goal shooting are both down from last year. His 39.3% on three-pointers, however, matches his career average.
But his production against the Raptors (25-55) was needed to help the Nets (32-48) get one last win at home.
“I know it’s not fun being hurt,” Mikal Bridges said of Johnson. “Being in and out, having rhythm then being hurt messing your rhythm up. Just happy for him just to feel good out there. I know he wants to play, get a good rhythm and have that feel again before the season ends.”
That’s why the Nets must figure out how Johnson fits next season. Is his bench role temporary or longer because of Cam Thomas’ emergence?
The change came after interim coach Kevin Ollie wanted Johnson’s shooting prowess off the bench after the break. It hasn’t worked as Johnson’s scoring dipped from 13.7 points pre-break to 12.6 since and the Nets’ scoring issues helped them fade out of playoff contention.
Meanwhile, Thomas benefited starting in Johnson’s place with 22.2 points this season entering Wednesday. But both have started 18 games together and it’s fit well as their games have meshed.
So why not start them both? Well, the Nets can’t easily demote one of the other four starters.
Dorian Finney-Smith might be a candidate but the Nets like his versatility as a shooter and playing in the post.
Can they bench Thomas? He started every game he’s played since Jan. 27. The Nets also need to decide Thomas’ best role since he’s eligible for an extension this summer.
At the same time, Johnson didn’t sign an extension to be a reserve. The front office and the next Nets coach must determine his permanent role and stick with it. These last two games can help evaluate that and Johnson will do his part to help.
“Maybe it won’t be 100% in terms of the toe,” Johnson said. “But if I get to a place where docs feel comfortable [and] I feel comfortable enough to get out there, I’ll be out there.”
Notes & quotes: Thomas had a team-high 23 points Wednesday and Dennis Schroder added 21 points and nine assists. Rookie Noah Clowney had a career-high seven blocks to go with 10 points and seven rebounds.
The Nets finished with 15 blocks, their most at Barclays Center since moving to Brooklyn in 2012. Nic Claxton added five blocks to go with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
