According to a report, the Milwaukee Bucks may not have enough time to acquire one of the hottest prospects on the trade market. Athletic Joe Vardon expresses interest in a player from a rival from the Eastern Conference.
Sources say the Cavaliers have expressed interest in acquiring forward Cam Johnson from the Brooklyn Nets @joevardon.
Cleveland is looking to address clear size and physicality flaws on the perimeter.
Details ⤵️https://t.co/uUFRrc0jjl
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) January 17, 2025
Milwaukee has gained momentum over the last six games, but the constant pat at the deadline isn’t helping their 0-8 record against Cleveland, Boston and New York. It appears the Nets two-way forward, who is having a career year, may be out of the question.
The Milwaukee Bucks could really operate their own Cam Johnson
While the Bucks haven’t been directly linked to the Johnson rumors, he would make total sense for this lineup. The 6-foot-10 forward is known for his length and speed on defense, and this season he’s scoring 19.6 PPG while shooting 49.9% from the field and 42.8% on threes.
To acquire him, Milwaukee would have to deal either Khris Middleton, which is the more obvious choice, or Brook Lopez. No industry would require the involvement of a third team. While both players have salary caps, trading Lopez would mean finding a modern starting center or starting Bobby Portis and finding a capable backup. Replacing Lopez with Portis would also hurt the defense right away. Forward to forward, Middleton to Johnson, would be a much better trade.
Another question is whether Brooklyn would be interested in negotiating. While Milwaukee doesn’t have a treasure trove of picks, the cupboard isn’t completely bare. They have trades for their first-round picks for 2026, 2028 and 2030, as well as their first- and second-rounders for 2031. Since New Orleans and Portland hold the trade-up rights for early priority, their value is reduced, but they are then the premieres and the elections are the same.
While the Cavaliers have more draft capital to offer, it mostly involves second-rounders and perhaps behind schedule second-rounders as well, assuming Cleveland stays competitive for a few seasons. The two novelties they can offer will come into force in 2030 and 2031.
Of course, the Nets don’t want to add to his massive salary, so Middleton’s $31.6 million paycheck in 2024 and his $34 million player option for the 2025 season pose hurdles. Lopez ($23 million) is on an expiring contract, but unless Brooklyn trades current center Nic Claxton, adding Lopez wouldn’t make sense unless they knew they could flip him to someone else.
Will the Cavs reach an agreement with the Brooklyn Nets?
Because Cleveland isn’t interested by giving away any fundamental part, it is questionable what they could include to raise the value of their trade package in terms of future talent or tradable assets. As part of the deal, the Cavaliers would likely move Georges Niang (8.4 PPG, $8.5 million). Would they be willing to include winger Dean Wade (6.1 PPG, $6.0 million)?
Either way, those salaries would be easier to manage than what the Bucks would be landing, and getting rid of Johnson in exchange for a clear downgrade would allow Brooklyn to accept a tank. Will Niang+Wade and five second-rounders appeal to the Nets?
The Cavs may need to do more, but they are clearly in the hunt for Johnson. As the February 6 deadline approaches, it seems like someone is going to stop him.
Something, compared to nothing, would be nice for the Bucks
The Bucks may never have had a real chance to take Johnson, but it’s worth lamenting what in fantasy land would have been a killer move for Milwaukee. While he’s not the same fluid creator, he’s essentially delivering what Middleton did in the 2021 Finals: 20 PPG, three lights out, and stellar defense. Even if Johnson’s scoring numbers dropped after joining the Bucks as a clear third option, it would be a huge improvement over Middleton on both sides of the ball.
Johnson has missed most of Brooklyn’s recent games with an ankle injury, but for comparison, here’s what he and Khris have done since December.
Johnson:
Milwaukee has been playing much better lately, but they simply don’t have the full complement of ingredients they have in 2021. If GM Jon Horts is all-in on chasing another ring, he should consider acquiring a Cam Johnson-style weapon to sit with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard before the deadline.
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