The price for Cam Johnson has steadily increased, as has the market for his services.
The Nets’ sweet-shooting forward is set to hit restricted free agency, with the team hoping to lock him up to an extension before it ever reaches that stage.
Recent reports said they may have a good chance to do so.
“Cam knows how we feel,” general manager Sean Marks said after the Nets’ playoff loss to the 76ers. “We hope he’s back. He’s a 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.”
Veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein said on Friday that Johnson is expected to re-sign with the Nets, but is a big priority for other teams as well.
Johnson turned down a four-year, $72 million extension from Phoenix before the Nets acquired him, along with Mikal Bridges, in the Kevin Durant deal.
Shortly thereafter, sources told The Post his market would exceed $80 million. Now, reports are he could command a salary identical to or even higher than Bridges’ four year, $90 million deal.
Will the Nets have to match an offer sheet that large, and from what team?
Long eyed by the Rockets, Johnson now has been linked not only with the Pacers but also the Pistons, according to Stein.
An offer from Detroit wouldn’t be shocking.
The Pistons just hired Monty Williams, who coached Johnson with the Suns. Williams has acknowledged he was so upset after the Suns traded Johnson and Bridges that he cried.
The odds are Johnson will be back with the Nets.
Because he’s a restricted free agent, the Nets can match any offer sheet within 24 hours, and are determined to do so.
The Nets managed to lock up Nic Claxton last summer before the center got a chance to hit the free agent market, and Stein reported they’ve “all but convinced Johnson to re-sign.”
The new rules give Marks even more time to get a deal done with Johnson, an extra week that began on Wednesday.
“I have to do some evaluation on that front,” Johnson said earlier this offseason. “I haven’t fully developed that plan yet. One thing I’ve learned this year … is the business will be the business, and everybody acts accordingly in that aspect.
“So in my case, I’ll do whatever I and my family and representatives determine is best for my future. Whether that’s being here or somewhere else, I can’t say. All I can say is I’ve really come to appreciate the people here and that means a tremendous amount to me. But I haven’t made any decisions business-wise yet. But I definitely have factors I’m considering and I am warming up to New York, certainly.”
The Post has reported that Dorian Finney-Smith or Royce O’Neale could be traded to balance the roster.
The Nets rejected an offer of two first-round picks for Finney-Smith.
He could be a trade chip, according to NetsDaily, should they renew their interest in Hawks big man John Collins.
In the last few days Stein, Bleacher Report and The Ringer all reported that Finney-Smith could be dealt.
Johnson, asked if being able to keep playing alongside pal Bridges in Brooklyn would impact his free agency decision, said it would.
“Yeah I’d say so. That’s my twin — I haven’t played an NBA game without him, literally — the guy I came into the league alongside of and somebody I’ve grown close to. I value those people in my life and he’s a good teammate,” Johnson said. “So the continued opportunity to play with him is going to be very important.”
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