NBA Rumors: Ranking and predicting where the top 35 NBA free agents will sign

12. Cam Johnson (restricted)

I don’t think it’s talked about enough, but the Brooklyn Nets did a tremendous job in recovering after the fiasco that took place with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. At the NBA Trade Deadline, the Nets acquired Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson as part of the KD blockbuster deal. Heading into the summer, they must re-sign Johnson as he prepares for restricted free agency.

Johnson is a rising young star in the league and incoming off a 25-game stretch (post-trade deadline) with the Nets in which he averaged 17 points and five rebounds on 37 percent shooting from 3-point range.

Considering he was a big part of the KD trade, there’s no way the Nets could let Johnson leave in free agency. There will be plenty of suitors for Johnson but it will be difficult, and quite possibly impossible, to pry him away from Brooklyn. In fact, the only way I can see it happening is if the Nets swing a trade for a star (perhaps Damian Lillard?) and Johnson is included as a potential piece of the trade.

Short of that happening, the expectation around the league is that Johnson will re-sign with the Nets.

Prediction: Brooklyn Nets