As the Nets prepare for a six-game Western road trip, they might be getting a going away present.
Following the Nets’ 113-98 loss to the Pistons on Wednesday night at Barclays Center, head coach Jordi Fernandez said he believes Cam Johnson will return from a sprained ankle and play on the trip that is set to begin on Friday against the Nuggets.
“We believe so. But, again, we’re not going to rush anything. Whenever he’s cleared and he feels good,” Fernandez said. “He’s young, but he’s a vet and I trust him. I don’t want him to go too early to risk anything. I just want it to be 100 percent because then he makes us better. He makes us compete better and that just helps the rest of the group. He’s in good spirits. Feels good. He’s been working. It’s just good to have him around.”
Johnson, a sixth-year forward, has been out three games since suffering the injury to his ankle against the Bucks on Jan. 2 when Ziaire Williams fell on his teammate’s foot while grabbing a late-game rebound.
Without Johnson, Williams and Jalen Wilson have taken over the load with Cam Thomas (hamstring), Ben Simmons (calf soreness and lower back management) also sitting out the past three games as well.
D’Angelo Russell (shin) has also missed the past two while only playing through the first half of Saturday’s 76ers game.
Johnson’s availability and travel plans had another wrinkle, as the No. 11 draft pick of the 2019 NBA Draft has had several trade rumors swirling around his name with interest reportedly from the Kings, Pacers, and Thunder ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline.
There were also reports linking Johnson to the Grizzlies and Lakers, according to Jake Fischer.
NetsDaily reported a source saying that all the rumors around Johnson are “inaccurate.”
Johnson is in the middle of his four-year, $94.5 million contract and the 28-year-old forward is averaging 19.5 points while shooting 49.6 percent from the field and 43.6 percent from beyond the arc.
It’s believed the Nets will not give Johnson away easily and any deal likely would include or be equivalent to the value of two first-round picks.
In his second consecutive start this season and fourth with the Nets, Tyrese Martin earned his first career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds (career high).
Noah Clowney’s career-high night of 29 points makes the 20-year-old forward the youngest Net in franchise history to tally 25 or more points, five or more rebounds, and five or more 3-pointers in a single game.
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