When Cam Johnson can’t play, the Nets are out of luck

The Nets fell to 0-9 without Cam Johnson this play pursuing Friday’s 102-101 roadworthy nonaccomplishment to the Los Angeles Lakers. When helium isn’t successful the lineup, it’s harmless to accidental Brooklyn is cooked.

Friday marked Johnson’s 2nd consecutive absence. He was listed arsenic questionable entering Sunday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to the fact that of a close ankle sprain. The guardant has missed 8 of the Nets’ past 9 games arsenic a whole. His lone quality implicit that agelong was Tuesday’s 132-114 decision of the Portland Trail Blazers, wherever helium scored a team-high 24 points successful 27 minutes.

So acold this season, Brooklyn has an violative standing of 112.4 with Johnson connected the tribunal and 104.2 with him off. He’s the team’s champion scorer, speech from a steadfast Cam Thomas, and its champion level spacer. When he’s not retired there, the drop-off successful accumulation is wide arsenic day.

“Obviously Cam is highly important for us, not conscionable due to the fact that helium catches and shoots, but besides his movement, and besides due to the fact that helium tin play disconnected the dribble and marque the close plays,” Nets caput manager Jordi Fernandez said.

Following Friday’s game, Fernandez discussed others connected the squad who person accrued their 3-point shooting measurement successful Johnson’s absence.

“Look astatine Ziaire [Williams], helium changeable 9 [3-pointers],” Fernandez said. “Noah [Clowney], 7 of them. [D’Angelo Russell] 10. Jalen Wilson was 3-for-4. So, that’s what we’re trying to do, make the close shots. When you sprout astir 45% from 3 it’s ever a bully shooting night.”

Johnson has appeared successful 33 of the Nets archetypal 40 games this season, and portion his availability has been constricted successful caller weeks, he’s inactive having the champion play of his nonrecreational career. He’s averaging 19.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists portion shooting 49.9% from the field, 42.8% from heavy and 89.7% from the escaped propulsion line.

Whether helium plays oregon not, it appears his worth crossed the league remains astatine an all-time high.

Numerous teams person reportedly inquired astir Johnson’s services up of the Feb. 8 commercialized deadline, including Oklahoma City, Indiana, Sacramento, Cleveland and others, but wide manager Sean Marks is not funny successful handing retired discounts.

The Nets are reportedly seeking 2 first-round picks, oregon equivalent value, successful speech for Johnson. Whatever squad lands him volition person to wage up.