The Web fell to Toronto Raptors 116-112 on Friday at Barclays Center and finished its 2024-25 preseason schedule with a 1-3 record. While the team had its struggles as a whole on both ends of the court in the loss, veteran forward Cam Johnson played light on offense from start to finish, though.
Johnson’s future with the rebuilding Nets was questioned throughout the offseason. Against the Raptors, he showed why various teams around the league have flirted with the idea of potentially trading him.
The 28-year-old enjoyed by far his best preseason performance — and certainly one of the best offensive performances of his career — finishing with 32 points, four rebounds and four assists in 32 minutes.
Johnson’s first 21 points came in the first half. He went 11 of 21 from the field overall, knocked down seven treys and reminded general managers around the league that he can be an elite catch-and-shoot player when healthy. He had scored at least 30 points in a game three times entering Friday’s matchup.
Brooklyn shot 41.8% from the field and 31% from 3-point range against Toronto. The Raptors shot 48.9%% from the field and got 21 points, six rebounds and three assists from fourth-year forward Scottie Barnes.
While Friday was Johnson’s best offensive game of the preseason, he has looked much better on both ends of the court this preseason overall. Lower-body injuries affected his ability to find his shooting rhythm last season. He looked much better physically over this four-game stretch and moved more fluidly on the field. And with his longtime backup partner Mikal Bridges now playing across the bridge in Manhattan, this might be the season Johnson steps into a bigger role and gets his effectiveness back on track.
If there are teams around the league zeroing in on acquiring Johnson, Friday was a masterful display of his talents. It was just a preseason game, sure, but maybe Sean Marks’ asking price went up after that performance.
Johnson and his fellow starters played deep into the fourth quarter in their final adjustment before the regular season. The next one is for real. The Nets open the 2024-25 season on Wednesday against Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena.