Rockets have the ideal trade target if all goes as planned

Brian Lewis of the New York Post reported on Tuesday that the Nets could acquire a second lottery pick (subscription required) by "consolidating and packaging" a combination of Cam Johnson, their other first-round picks, or future picks. The Houston Rockets have been linked to Johnson for the last couple of years, and could finally land him this summer.

Brooklyn kept hold of Johnson before the February deadline amid its tank for Cooper Flagg, which didn't pan out. The Nets had the sixth-best odds at the No. 1 pick entering the draft lottery, but left Chicago with the No. 8 pick.

NBA insider Jake Fischer reported after the lottery that Brooklyn could look to move up in the order. Maybe that will happen with a Johnson trade. If one of the top-five teams isn't interested in trading back (the Mavericks will stay put), the Nets could look to the Rockets, who have the No. 10 pick. Brooklyn's focus is on its youth, while Houston finished the regular season with the second-best record in the West.

Having a shooter like Johnson on the roster is the upgrade the Rockets could turn to, rather than completely breaking up their current young core for a star player like Giannis Antetokounmpo, who could decide to stay in Milwaukee, or Kevin Durant, who will be 37 years old before next season starts.

Rockets-Cam Johnson rumors could resurface this summer

Johnson averaged a career-high 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game in 2024-25, shooting 47.5% from the field and 39% from three. He averaged 7.2 three-point attempts per game, the most in his career. His size (six-foot-eight) and consistent knockdown shooting are what make him so valuable.

The Warriors beat the Rockets in Game 7 of the first round after shooting 18-for-43 (41.9%), while Houston shot 6-for-18 (33.3%). Golden State made as many threes as the Rockets attempted. That isn't a recipe for success in today's NBA, which increases a player like Johnson's value.

Johnson, who turned 29 in March, said at the end of the regular season that he has a "vested interest" in what the Nets are building, but he knows anything can happen. He likely wouldn't object to joining one of the top young teams in the West. He knows what it's like to be part of a team that makes a deep playoff run (he was with the Suns when they made the 2021 NBA Finals), and he can help contribute to the Rockets' ultimate goal of winning a title.

If Houston is open to trading the No. 10 pick for an established player that isn't Giannis or KD, don't be surprised if the Rockets and Nets continue their trade trend.