Nets forward Cam Johnson has been selected to compete in the Starry 3-Point Contest at All-Star weekend in San Francisco on Saturday, Feb. 15.
The field includes Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland, Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro, Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield, Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard and Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell.
During last season’s 3-Point Contest in Indianapolis, Lillard defended his title with 26 points in the final round, defeating Trae Young (24) and Karl-Anthony Towns (22).
Johnson will be the sixth Nets player to participate in the event, joining Patty Mills, Joe Harris, Joe Johnson, Anthony Morrow and Dražen Petrović. Harris won the competition in 2019.
“I think it’s the right decision,” Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “In my opinion, [Cam’s] the best shooter in the NBA, should be shooting in the 3-point contest, so they did a great job selecting him. And we’re happy we have a player from our club going there. We know he’ll do a great job representing us.”
Through 36 games this season, the soon-to-be 29-year-old has recorded career-best averages in points per game (19.3), assists per game (2.9) and minutes per game (32.1). He ranks fourth in the NBA and first in the Eastern Conference in 3-point percentage at 41.7%.
Teams around the league were lining up to pry Johnson away from the Nets ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, but ultimately no deal was made. He has two years left on his current deal worth $21.5 million annually.
“I feel that this year I’m a much better player overall than I’ve been in the past,” Johnson told reporters at Friday’s shootaround. “And I don’t think this is the best I’ll be. I will continue to push to be a better player next week and next year, and everything in between, and everything beyond that.”
WAITING GAME
Ben Simmons, reportedly in the process of negotiating a contract buyout with the Nets, was not with the team during Friday’s matchup against the Miami Heat at Barclays Center. Fernandez declined to comment on the situation until a deal is finalized, but did speak on the progress Simmons made this season under his watch.
“He’s done a good job competing and being a part of our club and our culture and showing up and working with his teammates,” Fernandez said. “Whatever we’ve asked him to do, he’s done it… I’ve been very pleased with him.”
The 28-year-old, in the final year of a five-year contract he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, averaged 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 33 appearances this season. He ends his Nets tenure with just 90 games played and zero playoff appearances in three seasons.
POST DEADLINE CLARITY
The trade deadline is behind us. After buyout season, whatever players are left on Nets’ roster will be the ones Fernandez rolls with for the rest of 2024-25. In some ways it’s a relief. Now Brooklyn can focus on building continuity and finishing strong — and the vision appears clear from top to bottom.
“The owner has a vision, the GM designs the whole plan, and then the coaches execute on the court,” Fernandez said. “I’m always informed about what’s going to happen and what’s happening, and that gives me security to then do my job… We always have opinions and share opinions. I’ve been building a very good relationship with the front office.”