The Suns discussed a rookie scale extension with Cameron Johnson that would have been worth about $66-72MM over four years, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype said on his latest podcast. Scotto points out that those figures are in line with recent contracts for shooters such as Davis Bertans, Joe Harris and Duncan Robinson, but there’s a belief that Johnson can earn more considering the expected rise in the salary cap and his role on a contending team.
Johnson was off to a great start, averaging 13.0 points per game and shooting 43.1% from three-point range, before undergoing meniscus surgery that could sideline him for up to two months. Scotto notes that Phoenix gave Mikal Bridges a four-year, $90MM extension and cites league sources who have told him the team doesn’t want to approach that number to keep Johnson.
On the same podcast, Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype said Johnson will be in demand as a restricted free agent, even if he doesn’t make a full recovery during the season. He notes that Collin Sexton received $72MM over four years after missing nearly an entire season with a meniscus tear and suggests that Johnson will get at least that much. Gozlan adds that Johnson is much easier to trade without an extension and wonders if that was the Suns’ plan all along.
The duo discussed several other players who are headed to restricted free agency:
- The Hornets were offering P.J. Washington a four-year extension in the $50-52MM range, but he’s hoping for an annual salary closer to $20MM, sources tell Scotto. Washington has become a full-time starter with the loss of Miles Bridges and is averaging a career-high 14.6 points and 1.1 blocks per game. Gozlan believes Washington made the right decision, noting that the mid-level exception will soon be in the range of Charlotte’s offer.
- The Celtics never offered Grant Williams more than $50MM in guaranteed money over four seasons, according to Scotto, who adds that Williams would have accepted a deal that paid him at least $14MM a year. Williams’ hot start puts him in line for a much bigger contract, and some sources tell Scotto he’ll get an offer starting in the $18MM range, which might be too high for Boston to match.
- The Knicks didn’t have serious extension talks with Cam Reddish, but he has a chance to change his outlook after moving into the starting lineup, Scotto notes. Gozlan expects Reddish to get full MLE offers next summer if he keeps producing.
- Coby White has become a trade candidate for the Bulls, NBA executives tell Scotto. White’s production continues to fall and he doesn’t appear to have a future in Chicago’s backcourt.
Cam gonna sign for more than the MLE, book that. OKC jus saw him turn up in front of their whole front office. If Thibs was half as smart as his fanclub claims he is Cam woulda been guarding SGA instead of RJ & Grimes (who he torched). OKC should go hard after Khris Middleton but if & when they whiff on him they should def offer Cam a lucrative long term deal to help then get back in the playoffs…. link to m.youtube.com
John Collins for Cam Johnson & Jae Crowder is something I’d probably be into at this point
Collins is being traded for Ayton on July 16th. Crowder would be a pitch pick up for the Grizz.
Who plays 5 for Phoenix if they trade Ayton forJC?
Sabonis comes to mind and will be avaliable at the deadline. Signing Turner is an option in the offseason or via sign and trade works also. Potel is coming free as well.
CP3 Booker Bridges JC and Ayton that’s a cool team. Really good timeline and good mix of skill sets.
Hawks Trae Murray Hunter Johnson Capela I like it. Cam is another lethal shooter that’ll space the floor extremely well, he does lack in muscle and defence at the 4 spot but could easily switch Hunter onto 4’s and Cam onto 3’s.
Crowder coming over for depth that’s really solid too. Bogdan Jalen Crowder would be solid coming off the wood. Just wish they had got Schroder to return too. He would’ve been electric as the sixth man on this team.
Coby White has played OK when he has played this season. I’m surprised to see him mentioned here
Coby would be a great pick up for the Spurs for a draft pick or two. Pop can get his best basketball out of him better than anyone.
Duh. Coby White is injured so yeah his production is down. Coby White really hasn’t had a place on this team since the Bulls signed Caruso and drafted Ayo. Now they have Dragic and Terry so yeah he has no place. They should of dealt him 2 years ago when he had a tad of value. Now not so much. But they could use the money they save to get a PF without going over the Luxury Tax.