A simple ESPN alert. This is how Cam Johnson learned the news. His teammate since his NBA debut, Mikal Bridges, had just been transferred to the Knicks.
“ I probably found out after the trade, I was probably one of the last to know. “, Nets winger noteswho admits it will be weird playing without Mikal Bridges for the first time since college.
” I think it's because I've played every game with him. But it's going to be okay for him, it's going to be okay for me. I'm looking forward to playing against him. “, continues Cam Johnson, who made his debut in Phoenix with his partner, before being transferred with him to Brooklyn as part of the trade around Kevin Durant.
That's more than 280 games together for these two inseparable friends until this summer. You have to understand that this is a business, that teams do what is in their best interest and that players do what is in their best interest. “, recalls Cam Johnson, for whom this departure will not change his ties with Mikal Bridges.
” Our relationship goes beyond basketball. It goes beyond the team. He's my brother for life, and I wish him nothing but the best. That's all it's about, except when he's playing against us. ” warns the Pennsylvania native, who is a little vague about his personal situation.
A blurred personal future
Will the departure of the team's second-leading scorer pave the way for a complete rebuild? Cam Johnson says he's in touch with team GM Sean Marks and new coach Jordi Fernandez to get a sense of his potential role next season.
About to enter the second year of his four-year, $94 million contract, the winger has seen his name mentioned in transfer rumors. I'm part of the Brooklyn Nets today. Dorian (Finney-Smith) is part of the Brooklyn Nets today. (Cam Thomas), (Trendon) Watford, we are Nets today, and that is the group we are focusing on “, he assures.
He also assures that he has no worries about managing this period of uncertainty, preferring to concentrate on his physical and technical preparation. All while looking ahead to the current group.
” We have a good group in Brooklyn, we can really start to develop something. Jalen (Wilson), Noah (Clowney), Dariq (Whitehead) are improving day by day. […] If I stay in Brooklyn, then I'm all in, eager to play, to grow this band. “, concludes Cam Johnson, now forced to move forward “alone”.
Cameron Johnson | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
2019-20 | PHX | 57 | 22 | 43.5 | 39.0 | 80.7 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 3.3 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 8.8 |
2020-21 | PHX | 60 | 24 | 42.0 | 34.9 | 84.7 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 9.6 |
2021-22 | PHX | 66 | 26 | 46.0 | 42.5 | 86.0 | 0.6 | 3.5 | 4.1 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 12.5 |
2022-23 * | All Teams | 42 | 29 | 47.0 | 40.4 | 84.2 | 0.8 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 15.5 |
2022-23 * | BRK | 25 | 31 | 46.8 | 37.2 | 85.1 | 0.8 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 16.6 |
2022-23 * | PHX | 17 | 25 | 47.4 | 45.5 | 81.8 | 0.8 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 13.9 |
2023-24 | BRK | 58 | 28 | 44.6 | 39.1 | 78.9 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 4.3 | 2.4 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 13.4 |
Total | 283 | 26 | 44.7 | 39.2 | 83.0 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 3.9 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 11.8 |
How to read the stats? GM = Games Played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots Made / Shots Attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made / Free Throws Attempted; Off = Offensive Rebound; Def = Defensive Rebound; Tot = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose Balls; Ct: Blocks; Pts = Points.