Nets Notebook: Brooklyn maintains high asking price for Cam Johnson ahead of NBA Trade deadline

There’s a growing sense around the league that Cam Johnson may remain with the Nets past Thursday’s trade deadline. Brooklyn has reportedly been seeking two first-round picks or equivalent for the sharpshooting wing. At this point in the cycle, that asking price may be a bit too steep.

“Teams monitoring the situation this week didn’t think anyone would make an offer strong enough to acquire Johnson,” wrote Ian Begley of SNY.

Johnson has averaged a career-best 19.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists across 35 games this season while shooting 49.1% from the field and 41.9% from deep. His uptick in scoring and elite efficiency has made him a top trade target this season. The Nets, in the midst of another grand rebuild under general manager Sean Marks, have been shopping the forward for months.

The Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and others have all been linked to Johnson at one point or another. However, after the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick, perhaps breaking the bank for the 28-year-old no longer feels like the best use of assets.

The Nets shouldn’t be in a rush to trade Johnson anyway. He has two years left on his current deal worth $21.5 million annually, so can be kept while maintaining financial flexibility. That, on top of his on-court ascension, is what makes him such a valuable asset.

Johnson missed his sixth straight game on Tuesday because of a right ankle sprain. He was supposed to be re-evaluated sometime this week.

LIFE IN THE LEAGUE

Dennis Schröder was having a career year in Brooklyn before he was traded to the Golden State Warriors in December. Across his first 24 appearances in the Bay, he’s averaged just 10.6 points per game while shooting 37.5% from the field. While the veteran point guard is still blessed to be playing in the best league in the world, the sudden change in scenery was hardly fair, but that’s the business.

In an exclusive interview with Dalton Johnson, NBC Sports Bay Area, Schröder compared the NBA trade deadline to modern slavery. He’s been traded five times in 12 seasons as a pro. And other journeymen around the league probably share the same frustration.

“Everybody can decide where you’re going, even if you have a contract,” Schröder said. “Yeah, of course, we make a lot of money, and we can feed our families, but at the end of the day if they say, ‘You’re not coming to work tomorrow, you’re going over there,’ they can decide that. They got to change that a little bit.”

LAKERS SEEKING CENTER HELP

Speaking to reporters at Doncic’s introductory news conference on Tuesday, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka was asked about the team’s hunt for a legit center after parting ways with Davis, and what he’s looking for in a potential acquisition.

“Versatility, mobility, a vertical lob threat, I think that’s a key to the spacing that Luka likes to play with, competitive,” Pelinka said. “Those players are hard to find… But we’ll find a way.”

Sound familiar? Nic Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe have both been linked to the Lakers in recent days, and the Nets are open for business. Whether a deal gets done for either big will be revealed soon.