One player the Thunder should target on each team in the Atlantic Division

Brooklyn Nets: Cameron Johnson

Cam Johnson is one of the best shooting forwards in the NBA. He’s hit 42 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes over the past two seasons. At 6’8, he’s able to get his shot off over contests without trouble. Cam Johnson has the vertical explosiveness to attack the rim, particularly against closeouts:

Johnson would give the OKC Thunder’s starting lineup a massive shooting and off-ball gravity boost. Their front court would include more shooters, opening even more driving lanes for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and Jalen Williams. The team’s drive-and-kick offense would become lethal, and its looks at the rim would become even cleaner.

Adding Johnson as their starting power forward would lift OKC’s three-point frequency and their efficiency in the paint.

OKC Thunder Head coach Mark Daigneault could even use Johnson as a movement shooter, similar to other tall snipers like Lauri Markkanen and Michael Porter Jr. Picture Josh Giddey zipping passes to Johnson on the wing as he bolts around a Jalen Williams pin-down screen. He could make OKC’s halfcourt offense far more dynamic and unpredictable.

In transition, where the OKC Thunder excel, Johnson is one of the most efficient scorers in the league, averaging 1.44 points per possession in 2023. He’s both a deadeye shooter and a lob threat in the open court. It’s interesting to imagine all the offensive possibilities he would bring to Bricktown.

Though, the cost to acquire Cameron Johnson from Brooklyn would a hefty price to pay. It could all be worth it, given the OKC Thunder’s stock pile of draft picks, to tie up their young core and push all-in on the next half-decade plus of basketball in Bricktown.