Cam Johnson Marathon - Pacer Yourself

[MasterIchiro]

Pacers acquire Cam Johnson for Nesmith (3 years), Jarace Walker, I. Jackson (expiring).

Pacers add the top player at the deadline replicating the Siakam playoff push, leveraging the value of Walker while preserving draft capital.

Pacers unload longterm money which is vital given raises due Myles Turner and Nembhard.

Nets get a solid prospect, tank, and can flip Nesmith.

Any 3rd team bidders for Nesmith?

[Helsbyte]

Pacers say no.

Obi
Mathurin
Jackson

That should be the offer.

[OGSactownballer]

Nets want a pick(s).

This isn’t going to go for them.

[Magic_Johnny12]

Orlando finds a third team to take on Cole Anthony for 3-4 SRP’s then offers Brooklyn

Expiring (from 3rd team, possibly Toronto)
Gary Harris (expiring)
Jett Howard
‘26 FRP (top-10)

[wemby]

Pacers say no.

Obi
Mathurin
Jackson

That should be the offer.

I agree, Pacers should keep Walker. Also, I think that's a pretty solid offer, but may not be enough if the Nets don't like Mathurin and prefer a picks based approach.

[Xman]

I am of the “free Walker” movement. He is a pf and needs to add muscle. Indy is hampering his progress.
So, yes, deal Walker. Cam is better fit.
This is actually a good return for bkn. Fair for both.

[Scoot McGroot]

I am of the “free Walker” movement. He is a pf and needs to add muscle. Indy is hampering his progress.
So, yes, deal Walker. Cam is better fit.
This is actually a good return for bkn. Fair for both.

Have you seen Walkers performance in Indy the last couple weeks?

For Indy, Nesmith and Obi is a solid offer for Cam. Brooklyn may want picks on top, but Indy can’t. Put in Mathurin or Walker, and Indy will feel like they deserve picks back.

[NW]

Could definitely see the Warriors willing to get involved with expiring contracts if the Nets aren't looking to take the years for Nesmith, maybe Toppin

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

I’m a big Cam Johnson fan, but he isn’t an All-Star caliber player. Would be bad business for the Pacers to trade some young players flashing a lot for a great role player.

I just don’t see a deal getting done between the two teams.

Not to mention the chemistry aspect, don’t get me wrong, I do think Cam would fit in fine, but the teams chemistry is amazing right now and this would be a massive change.

[MasterIchiro]

Nets want a pick(s).

This isn’t going to go for them.

My angle is Nets already have 4 first round picks. While they are seeking 1sts, they probably prefer future 1sts but if contenders are hesitant to trade those or have so few remaining, Nets could pivot to prospects.

Walker fits this. He's blocked by Obi.

Pacers have raises due Nembhard and Turner. They have to move longterm money if they're truly bidders here for Cam on a 3 year deal.

They could move Obi or Nesmith, but not both because the Nets prefer expirings. They're cleaning house.

From the Pacers perspective, Indiana is preserving picks (not a clear playoff team) and if they can't move the contract to Toppin, he blocks Walker.

And I would think if the Nets deem Nesmith (over Toppin) as the player more likely to return satisfactory draft capital from a third team, the pick piece is in place.

Certainly a fringe playoff team can go the draft pick route, but the Pacers did this last deadline and might want to balance out. I think it's unlikely picks are part of their bid. They wouldn't be here if they didn't think they could sub prospects.

Pacers have some flexibility in trading Mathurin or Walker but Mathurin is more NBA-ready and starts for them.

[MasterIchiro]

Alternative: Nembhard on his extension starts in place of Mathurin. His playmaking frees Haliburton for more off-ball opportunities.

Pacers keep Walker, insert Mathurin to Nets. Pacers trade 20 but remain compliant with Stepien rule, netting 27 (Rockets via Brooklyn).

Nets flip Nesmith (3 years) for Cody Martin (expiring).

Haliburton
Nembhard
C. Johnson
Siakam
Turner

McConnell
Sheppard
Toppin
Bryant

Nets trade Cam Johnson + 27 for Mathurin + 20 + expirings (Martin, I. Jackson).

[cgf]

When did Cam Johnson learn to dribble or defend? lol

I don’t think I’d do any of the trades in this thread for the Pacers.

[MasterIchiro]

When did Cam Johnson learn to dribble or defend? lol

I don’t think I’d do any of the trades in this thread for the Pacers.

Do you believe the RealGM rumors of the Pacers (and Kings) being leading suitors for Cam Johnson are false? Could be.

I'm just operating as if there is some truth to the rumors, and seeing how a deal would work based on that premise.

[Scoot McGroot]

Nets want a pick(s).

This isn’t going to go for them.

My angle is Nets already have 4 first round picks. While they are seeking 1sts, they probably prefer future 1sts but if contenders are hesitant to trade those or have so few remaining, Nets could pivot to prospects.

Walker fits this. He's blocked by Obi.

He's not blocked by Obi. Walker is playing the 3. Obi is playing the 4. But if this was ever a concern, you trade Obi without a 2nd thought, no?

Pacers have raises due Nembhard and Turner. They have to move longterm money if they're truly bidders here for Cam on a 3 year deal.

If they're truly bidders for Cam, it literally has to be Obi/Nesmith for Cam. No other salary matching works for Indy and keeps them out of the tax this year, or below the first apron with all of Cam's unlikely incentive's.

They could move Obi or Nesmith, but not both because the Nets prefer expirings. They're cleaning house.

In theory, it would have to be Obi/Nesmith IF a Cam deal is to happen. Also, Nesmith and Obi are worth more than expirings.

From the Pacers perspective, Indiana is preserving picks (not a clear playoff team) and if they can't move the contract to Toppin, he blocks Walker.

The Pacers appear to be a clear payoff team, especially since Nembhard returned to health. And again, Toppin doesn't block Walker.

And I would think if the Nets deem Nesmith (over Toppin) as the player more likely to return satisfactory draft capital from a third team, the pick piece is in place.

Certainly a fringe playoff team can go the draft pick route, but the Pacers did this last deadline and might want to balance out. I think it's unlikely picks are part of their bid. They wouldn't be here if they didn't think they could sub prospects.

I would agree, but mostly in that I think Indy just doesn't add picks to Nesmith/Obi. Like, that's a pretty good package, and one that really hurts Indy's rotation.

Pacers have some flexibility in trading Mathurin or Walker but Mathurin is more NBA-ready and starts for them.

Indy doesn't need to trade either. But if they did, Mathurin is the trade piece. Not Walker.

Alternative: Nembhard on his extension starts in place of Mathurin. His playmaking frees Haliburton for more off-ball opportunities.

Pacers keep Walker, insert Mathurin to Nets. Pacers trade 20 but remain compliant with Stepien rule, netting 27 (Rockets via Brooklyn).

If Indy trades Mathurin in a Cam deal, Brooklyn is paying the draft capital to bridge the gap. Not Indy.

Nets flip Nesmith (3 years) for Cody Martin (expiring).

Why would you waste value like that? Nesmith is a VERY affordable awesome 3 and D wing. He's just returned to health, but I don't think his on court value is below Cam, at all.

Nets trade Cam Johnson + 27 for Mathurin + 20 + expirings (Martin, I. Jackson).

This is pretty bad for Indy. Now and in the future. And it likely costs them $20-25m extra this year by putting them into the tax and losing distribution payments?


I don't think Cam Johnson is a real target for Indy. The reports all say that other GM's THINK Indy could have interest. But when you factor in the legalities of making a trade work, the proximity to the luxury tax, and the players involved, it really doesn't make sense for Indy.

[Scoot McGroot]

When did Cam Johnson learn to dribble or defend? lol

I don’t think I’d do any of the trades in this thread for the Pacers.

Do you believe the RealGM rumors of the Pacers (and Kings) being leading suitors for Cam Johnson are false? Could be.

I'm just operating as if there is some truth to the rumors, and seeing how a deal would work based on that premise.

League sources say that Indiana is a team to watch in the trade pursuit of Brooklyn's Cam Johnson.

While the Pacers remain a team to monitor for Johnson, sources said, Sacramento continues to be mentioned as a potential suitor for Brooklyn's in-demand marksman as well.

One Western Conference executive insisted this week that the Kings might have the best shot at Johnson ... if Brooklyn indeed proves willing to trade him. The executive told me that the likely framework of a future first-round pick packaged with the contracts of Kevin Huerter and Trey Lyles is regarded by some as the benchmark to beat to try to convince the Nets to surrender Johnson in the next 19 days.

Like, that's it? This is what all the aggregators are citing. It's not much. And if Huerter/Lyles/future 1st is the "benchmark to beat", I feel like an Obi/Nesmith offer would outshine that? And that if a Walker or Mathurin were involved, it would far outshine the "benchmark to beat".

[mademan]

Walker wouldnt be in a deal for Cam. It would be based around Mathurin

[cgf]

When did Cam Johnson learn to dribble or defend? lol

I don’t think I’d do any of the trades in this thread for the Pacers.

Do you believe the RealGM rumors of the Pacers (and Kings) being leading suitors for Cam Johnson are false? Could be.

I'm just operating as if there is some truth to the rumors, and seeing how a deal would work based on that premise.

League sources say that Indiana is a team to watch in the trade pursuit of Brooklyn's Cam Johnson.

While the Pacers remain a team to monitor for Johnson, sources said, Sacramento continues to be mentioned as a potential suitor for Brooklyn's in-demand marksman as well.

One Western Conference executive insisted this week that the Kings might have the best shot at Johnson ... if Brooklyn indeed proves willing to trade him. The executive told me that the likely framework of a future first-round pick packaged with the contracts of Kevin Huerter and Trey Lyles is regarded by some as the benchmark to beat to try to convince the Nets to surrender Johnson in the next 19 days.

Like, that's it? This is what all the aggregators are citing. It's not much. And if Huerter/Lyles/future 1st is the "benchmark to beat", I feel like an Obi/Nesmith offer would outshine that? And that if a Walker or Mathurin were involved, it would far outshine the "benchmark to beat".

Hopefully you guys do it because even Obi/Nesmith feels like it would weaken you more than it helped.

[MasterIchiro]

Sounds like some Pacers fans dismiss the rumor and believe Nesmith has more value than Cam Johnson.

I don't wholly agree with that assessment.

Also sounds like Pacers fans prefer to include Mathurin (over Jarace Walker) and I can understand that with the large extension Indiana gave to Nembhard who plays the same position as Bennedict.

And I understand Toppin has to move in addition to Nesmith due to tax crunch in Indiana, but concede the Nets would not love owing him 4 years for their rebuild. Maybe some other team can swoop in here, but if not, not a dealbreaker if the Nets love Mathurin.

Now for rotation/depth concerns, which I don't consider a dealbreaker...

Pacers are subtracting 2 rotation players, but adding 2 rotation players.

Both newly acquired Cam Johnson, Jarace Walker, and Siakam would be capable of filling PF minutes. If Martin is coming, he helps fill SF minutes with Walker and Cam.

Pacers
Cam Johnson (3)

This part is for Mathurin + Toppin

Cody Martin (1+1)
#34 via Charlotte
#35 via Charlotte
2027 Pels/Blazers 2nd via Charlotte

This part is for Nesmith

Nets
Mathurin
Toppin

At this point I believe the Nets would push for a pick #27 swap for #20 from Pacers.

[LightTheBeam]

Pacers say no.

Obi
Mathurin
Jackson

That should be the offer.

And the Nets should take this and run.

Mathurin is still only 22 years old and has more to prove. Obi can easily be flipped to any number of teams on his deal. Jackson showed a ton of promise before getting hurt.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

Do you believe the RealGM rumors of the Pacers (and Kings) being leading suitors for Cam Johnson are false? Could be.

I'm just operating as if there is some truth to the rumors, and seeing how a deal would work based on that premise.

League sources say that Indiana is a team to watch in the trade pursuit of Brooklyn's Cam Johnson.

While the Pacers remain a team to monitor for Johnson, sources said, Sacramento continues to be mentioned as a potential suitor for Brooklyn's in-demand marksman as well.

One Western Conference executive insisted this week that the Kings might have the best shot at Johnson ... if Brooklyn indeed proves willing to trade him. The executive told me that the likely framework of a future first-round pick packaged with the contracts of Kevin Huerter and Trey Lyles is regarded by some as the benchmark to beat to try to convince the Nets to surrender Johnson in the next 19 days.

Like, that's it? This is what all the aggregators are citing. It's not much. And if Huerter/Lyles/future 1st is the "benchmark to beat", I feel like an Obi/Nesmith offer would outshine that? And that if a Walker or Mathurin were involved, it would far outshine the "benchmark to beat".

Hopefully you guys do it because even Obi/Nesmith feels like it would weaken you more than it helped.

Well, we’ve essentially played without Nesmith all year, but in his two games back, he’s looked great and picked up right where he left off. But based off the amount of time he’s missed, would almost be like Obi for Cam straight up.

Obi fits perfectly with the Pacers offense, so yea, it would suck to lose him, but Cam is a better player, we could easily slot him in and move Walker to 4.

Right now the Pacers have 11 guys who deserve to get minutes on a good team. So a 2 for 1 could help clear things up. Of course, injuries happen as well and you never know when you’ll need that depth.