The Brooklyn Nets bowed out of the playoffs in a four-game sweep at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers this past weekend but for a team that traded away its star players at the deadline, they actually surprised many with the run to the playoffs.
And one bright spot in that run and during the playoffs was former UNC basketball standout Cam Johnson.
After being part of the trade that sent Kevin Durant to Phoenix, Johnson has become a key piece for the Nets alongside former Suns teammate Mikal Bridges. With Johnson being a free agent this offseason, the Nets are making it clear they want to retain him as Brian Lewis of the New York Post writes:
“Cam knows how we feel,” Nets general manager Sean Marks said. “[Jacque Vaughn] and I sat with him this morning. We hope he’s back. He’s a tremendous and a huge — tremendous person, on and off the court. High, high character. His IQ is off the charts. That’s exciting to be around. He adds a lot to our group, not just on the court.
“Everybody sees what he delivers on the court, but when you see him in the locker room, it’s certainly refreshing to be around, and hopefully he’s here. But he’s going to have decisions to make, so at the right time, we will certainly be having those discussions with him and his agent, and we hope that Cam will be back. He’s a big priority for us, there’s no question.”
Johnson appears to be a big piece for the Nets through the rebuild, as is Bridges. The two have played really well since the trade and keeping them together is a key.
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Story originally appeared on Tarheels Wire
