Top 3 free agents the Kings should target to replace Harrison Barnes
By Logan Struck
1. Cameron Johnson
Although Cameron Johnson might be the least-known player on this list, he should be the biggest target for the Kings this offseason. Johnson might be the most underrated shooter in the league, and I would love to see him shine in this Kings offense. After starting his first four seasons as a Phoenix Sun, he got traded at the deadline this past season to the Brooklyn Nets, along with fellow Kings target Mikal Bridges.
Johnson played 25 regular season games with the Nets, averaging 16.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. The stat that stuck out to me the most was his 1.4 steals per game. Johnson is a very pesky defender, getting loads of steals and deflections. With a 6’8″ frame, Johnson can be active on the boards and on defense, which is exactly what the Kings need to go along with his offensive skill set.
Cameron Johnson has one of the best jumpers in the league, shooting 39.3% from three through all four years of his career. Similar to Middleton, Johnson had knee injury problems this past year, but it did not stop him from showing what he does when healthy. Having multiple outbursts of games with seven made three-pointers, along with a playoff game where he made five and dropped 28 points as a second or third option, are just instances of what Johnson brings to the offensive side of the ball.
While Cameron Johnson is a restricted free agent, meaning the Nets can match any offer he receives, I want to see the Kings go after him and give him everything they can. I am expecting Johnson to ask for $15 million-$20 million per year, which is worth it if the Kings front office believes he is the missing piece to take this team to the next level.