Despite not having their own pick this summer, the Atlanta Hawks control the 13th and 22nd picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. Rumors swirled around this week that Atlanta is interested in trading those picks to get into the top 10. However, there is another route the Hawks could take. The Brooklyn Nets want an additional lottery pick and are looking to trade Cam Johnson before the draft on June 25, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
The Hawks have the assets and financial flexibility to get a deal done for Johnson.
Hawks and Nets Could Strike A Deal Before The NBA Draft
Hawks Have a Key Traded Player Exception
After the Dejounte Murray–Trae Young backcourt experiment backfired, Atlanta traded Murray to New Orleans last summer. This move created a $25.2 million traded player exception (TPE) the Hawks must use before it expires on July 7. Brooklyn owes Johnson $21.1 million over the 2025-26 campaign, which aligns perfectly with the TPE. Many teams do not use the maximum salary in an exception. They often utilize them for depth pieces off the bench. However, Atlanta finds itself in a unique situation to fully take advantage of a “use it or lose it” scenario. Even if the Hawks do not acquire Johnson, they should find a way to plug their depth concerns before July 7.
Brooklyn owns four 2025 first-round picks: 8, 19, 26, and 27. The Nets likely include Johnson and one of their later picks in the 20s in a potential deal. Atlanta would send them the 13th pick and gain a six-year forward who is fresh off a career year in 2024-25. As a rebuilding team, the Nets want a higher chance to find a future franchise centerpiece. Johnson does not fit their timeline, as he turned 29 years old in March. His NBA Finals experience with the Phoenix Suns and deadly shooting stroke would boost a Hawks team looking to compete for the playoffs.
Johnson Fits Multiple Areas of Need in Atlanta
Johnson averaged a career-high 18.8 points this season, shooting 47.5% from the field and 39% from deep on 7.2 attempts per game. Like his former teammate Mikal Bridges, Johnson became the first option (after injuries to Cam Thomas) on a rebuilding Nets team and showed his ability to do more than just sink catch-and-shoot triples. The former University of North Carolina product increased his usage to 22.9% and operated more as a ballhandler on the perimeter. He can play both the small and power forward positions, making it easier to mix and match his offense with stronger defense around him.
If the Hawks acquired Johnson, he would likely fill a sixth-man type role next season. Caris LeVert put up 14.9 points off the bench after the trade deadline in Atlanta, but he enters free agency in July. Johnson has more security with two years left on his deal and a more consistent three-point shot than LeVert. A forward combination of Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson, and Cam Johnson certainly looks good on paper for next season.
The Hawks and Nets both benefit from reaching a deal before the draft on June 25.
© Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The post Hawks and Nets Could Strike A Deal Before The NBA Draft appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.