Another day brings another report that the Sacramento Kings remain interested in Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson. NBA Insider Brian Lewis noted in the New York Post that while the Kings, Magic, and Lakers are interested, recent reports suggest the Spurs, Raptors, or Warriors could be “dark horses.” Although I have explored this possibility in previous posts, one must question if trading for Johnson is truly worthwhile.
A trade for Johnson would likely involve Kevin Huerter and a draft asset, possibly a protected first-round pick or a pair of second-round picks. But is Johnson a significant enough upgrade over Huerter to justify parting with these assets?
### Fan Opinion
To gauge public opinion, I turned to Twitter (I refuse to call it “X”) and gathered responses from 268 votes. According to the poll, about 84% of Kings fans believe Johnson is a sufficient upgrade over Huerter to warrant the trade.
### Personal Take
However, I remain unconvinced. Johnson, standing at 6’9″, is slightly taller than Huerter (6’7″), and both are movement shooters with some defensive limitations. Johnson is also more expensive, with an average annual value of $23.6 million compared to Huerter’s $16.3 million. While the extra size may justify the cost difference, I’m not certain it’s worth sacrificing assets.
Huerter is coming off a down year, but great shooters often have off seasons. If Huerter can return to his 2022-23 form, it’s questionable whether Johnson represents a real upgrade. Even if Johnson is better, does trading for him elevate the Kings to true contender status? Unlikely, especially when a leap from Keegan Murray could be more impactful.
I’m not entirely opposed to acquiring Johnson, as I respect a team trying to maximize its core. However, I lean towards keeping Huerter, allowing him a chance to rebound, and reassessing the situation closer to the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline.