Former North Carolina Tar Heels’ forward Cam Johnson will be one of the biggest names in the NBA this summer as a restricted free agent.
After being traded to Brooklyn in the Kevin Durant deal from Phoenix, Johnson is set to be a restricted free agent and early indications are that he will land a big deal. But where will that be?
Johnson can sign an offer sheet allowing Brooklyn to match it and bring him back as a core piece in their rebuild. One reporter believes Brooklyn might not even let Johnson get to that offer stage of free agency.
SNY’s Ian Begley wrote that the Nets are prepared to give Johnson a four-year, $84 million contract when free agency opens.
“The biggest decision facing Brooklyn this offseason will start on June 30 (at) 6pm… People following his (Cam Johnson) free agency believe the Nets will be comfortable offering Johnson a four year deal worth north of $84 million dollars… People following Johnson’s free agency believe that a team will step up and offer Johnson a big time offer sheet. Whether it’s Houston, who he’s been tied to through various reports, or Detroit, who NBA reporter Marc Stein tied Johnson to recently. They (the people following Johnson’s free-agency) feel that a team is going to step up (to) sign Johnson to that offer sheet and force the Nets to match that offer sheet. Now, I would assume that Nets match it because they acquired Johnson in the Kevin Durant trade with Phoenix.”
Johnson was a key part in helping Brooklyn reach the playoffs after he was traded there from the Suns. He did turn down a contract extension in Phoenix earlier this season, betting on himself.
And now he likely appears to be heading for a big payday.
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Story originally appeared on Tarheels Wire