The Nets held onto Cam Johnson by the commerce deadline. Now he’ll be their solely consultant at All-Star weekend, when he takes half within the 3-point contest.
“Sean [Marks, general manager] pulled me apart the opposite day and mentioned that they invited me to do it, so it’s an honor,” Johnson mentioned. “I watched the 3-point contest rising up and at all times imagined being on the market, so it’ll be fairly cool. I’m excited.”
One wonders what Johnson thought when Marks went to take him apart, contemplating he’s been the topic of fixed commerce rumors virtually all season. However after getting previous Thursday’s deadline, now Johnson goes up in opposition to the league’s prime shooters Saturday at Chase Middle (8 p.m., TNT).
“It means lots. It’s a talent set I satisfaction myself on and one thing I take actually significantly. So, yeah, it’s a big-time alternative,” Johnson mentioned.
“You dream about these items on a regular basis. All people goals of taking part in in an All-Star Sport. I’m not there, however I’ll be concerned within the weekend to some extent. And I put a number of effort into capturing and dealing on that and priding myself on that over a number of years, so it feels good to be acknowledged. However I need to go win it.”
Brooklyn heads into Monday’s tilt vs. Charlotte having received 4 of 5. That comes totally on the energy of a protection led by Nic Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe.
“This stretch, the final 5 video games, we’re sixth defensively, and [Claxton] and Day’Ron have been actually, actually good, and we’d like that stage of vitality, communication, depth,” head coach Jordi Fernandez mentioned.
The Nets are second within the league in defensive ranking since Jan. 28 at 105.2.
“Simply figuring it out, simply determining my spots the place I can get blocks,” Claxton mentioned. “Explosiveness coming again. It’s a distinct protection, so simply figuring all the pieces out, simply taking satisfaction on the defensive aspect of the ball.”
With Ben Simmons purchased out, the Nets don’t have any confirmed backup level guard behind D’Angelo Russell. They used 6-foot-9, 240-pound Trendon Watford there in Friday’s win, and he had 12 factors and 4 boards and was a game-high plus-19 in 22 minutes backing up Russell.
“It feels good,” Watford mentioned. “Every recreation, been feeling higher and higher. Simply lastly really feel good to get within the rhythm. See some pictures go in and even miss some pictures. Simply with the ability to deal with the ball, again up level with DLo out, and discover my guys, man. Simply assist profitable.”
The Nets now have an open roster spot and sufficient cap area so as to add a veteran minimal participant, per NetsDaily.
They may convert Tyrese Martin — who has been lively for 48 of their 52 video games and is approaching his two-way restrict of fifty — to an ordinary deal.
They may ink Killian Hayes, who’s taking part in nicely within the G-League however is ineligible for a two-way. Or they might take a look at outdoors choices.