Analysis: Can the Rockets exchange Cam Johnson with the No. 10 pick + 3 players from the Nets?

The Nets hope to trade Cam Johnson and the draft pick for a lottery pick. Can they reach a deal with the Rockets?

The Brooklyn Nets have four first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. They are reportedly considering integrating some of the draft picks and may even include Cam Johnson in the offer to advance to the NBA draft draw. The Nets already have the eighth pick, but there are many high picks in this year's draft.

The Houston Rockets won the No. 2 seed this year in the Western Conference strong teams, but they have the 10th pick for the Phoenix Suns. Houston already has a large number of young players, and considering they are now ready to win games, they don’t actually have room to develop another rookie. Although Reed Shepard was the 2024 Tanhua Show and achieved impressive results in the Development League, it is obvious that he has been on the bench last season.

The Houston Rockets may be the team most likely to trade outside the lottery zone, so if the Nets really want to trade Johnson, they should consider using the No. 10 sign.

What is the trading plan for the Rockets against Cam Johnson?

Rockets won: Cam Johnson, 26th overall pick (2025 NBA Draft)

Nets won: Jock Landare, Cam Whitmore, Aaron Holliday, 10th overall pick (2025 NBA Draft)

Although the Rockets won the second overall pick in the playoffs, they became the seventh team to lose to the seventh overall pick in the first round of the playoffs. They need more help to get through it, and veterans like Johnson make more sense than rookies. Johnson is one of the best three-pointers in the NBA.

The University of North Carolina striker averaged 2.8 three-pointers per game last season, shooting as high as 39%. What the Rockets need is the emergence of outside shooters. There are many athletic breakthrough players like Jaylen Green, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore in the team, but there are very few players who can take off steadily and shoot efficiently from outside the three-point line.

Johnson averaged 18.8 points per game last season, a career high, proving that he was at his peak. The three teams entering the Eastern Conference Finals – the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Indiana Pacers – all have incredible roster depth, and Johnson’s addition will further enhance the Rockets’ roster depth.

The Houston Rockets have ample future picks, so they should be more than happy to trade their No. 10 picks for such an experienced player. To facilitate the deal, the Rockets need to reject Fred VanVleet's team option. They can renew him on a cheaper contract, but his salary next year cannot exceed $40 million or the deal will not be reached.

Why are the Nets interested in trading Cam Johnson?

Since Johnson came to the Brooklyn Nets, trading rumors have been around him. Although the Nets may have passed the stage of a complete outbreak, they are not fully prepared for competition, so it is reasonable to trade the 29-year-old for a lottery.

While Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper and V.J. Edgecom are likely to be traded in the Brooklyn Nets’ eighth and tenth picks, it is still possible that the Nets will pick two players from Derek Quinn, Con Knuppel, Jas Richardson, Trey Johnson, Casparas Jacuciones or Colin Murray-Boyles.

Nets have told other teams that they want a star and that they are often associated with Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, trading the two-time MVP winner is not easy. The Nets know Johnson's strength, he is just a reliable role player. They are more likely to win their dream star in the NBA draft draw, so they should consider the deal.

In addition, Whitmore showed outstanding performance in Houston, but the team's surplus of young talented players left him with little chance. In another environment, he can further demonstrate his shooting ability and athletic talent, and may make a breakthrough in Brooklyn.