Kings’ Cam Johnson trade in jeopardy after Nets trade deadlock – NBC Sports Bay Area and California

The Kings may not be that close to getting the Brooklyn Nets star Cam Johnson as was first thought.

Despite recent reports linking the two-way sharpshooter to Sacramento, the Kings and Nets haven’t discussed a Johnson trade in weeks, NBA insider says Marc Stein reported on Wednesdayciting league sources.

“The Sacramento Kings have been mentioned frequently this month as an aggressive trade suitor for the Nets’ sharpshooter, but league sources told The Stein Line on Wednesday that there have been no discussions between the Kings and Nets regarding Johnson in weeks,” Stein wrote.

“Sources say the Kings don’t see a path to a workable Johnson deal with the Nets at this point.”

Other reports have suggested the Kings and Nets were in “extensive” talks about a deal for Johnson. Stein has heard otherwise.

Nonetheless, the 6-foot-8 wing would still be a valuable trade chip if Brooklyn wants to move him. Johnson has averaged 19.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists over 35 games in the 2024-25 NBA season, and the Nets’ 14-30 record indicates the playoffs may not be in the cards for Brooklyn.

It is up to Brooklyn to decide whether the 28-year-old, who is under contract through the 2026-27 season, is in his future.

“Obviously, there’s still time for that to change, with two weeks (and change) until the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline, but the word is that Sacramento is actively engaging with other teams about separate trade concepts,” Stein added.

If the Nets are interested in trading Johnson, it certainly wouldn’t be cheap. Stein referenced colleague Jake Fischer’s report on Brooklyn’s high price tag.

“As The People’s Insider Jake Fischer reported in one of his two weekly pieces on this Substack over the weekend, Brooklyn has indicated to rival teams that it is not as determined to move Johnson as the Nets were to send Dennis Schröder and Dorian Finney out.-Smith, both of whom were traded away in December for a combined haul of six future second-round draft picks,” Stein wrote, referring to Fischer’s report.

“Fischer also reported that the Nets have maintained a high asking price in trade talks for Johnson — sources say they have sought as many as two future first-round picks packaged with a young player in talks with certain teams.”

The Kings are currently 22-20 and eighth in the Western Conference — a trade for anyone, especially Johnson, isn’t out of the question for Sacramento, especially after DeMar DeRozan told reporters Wednesday that he hates “the idea of ​​a play -I (game) ” and prefers his team to go straight to the playoffs.

However, the Kings have won nine of their last 10 games and have found new life under interim coach Doug Christie. While Johnson is certainly an enticing prospect, it might be best for Sacramento to let his season play out until the Feb. 6 deadline.

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