The Kings’ pursuit of a Cam Johnson trade is on hold

The The Sacramento Kings, who were previously considered a strong candidate for Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnsonthey haven’t engaged in active trade discussions in weeks, according to Marc Stein’s latest report on The Stein Line. League sources indicate that while the Kings have been linked to Johnson in trade rumors, they currently see no clear path to acquiring the 28-year-old power forward.

Stein’s report emphasizes stagnant nature pursuit of the Kings, contradicting earlier speculation about Sacramento’s aggressive interest in Johnson. At this point, sources suggest the team has shifted focus, exploring other trade options as the Feb. 6 deadline approaches.

This update follows a report from Jake Fisher over the weekend, which shed light on Brooklyn’s approach to recent trade talks. The Nets, who were earlier traded Dennis Schroeder to the Golden State Warriors and Dorian Finney-Smith to the Los Angeles Lakers December, they showed less urgency in moving Johnson. Those earlier trades netted Brooklyn six future second-round picks, bolstering their draft capital.

The Nets’ high asking price is stopping the Kings’ interest in a Cameron Johnson trade

In Johnson’s case, however, the Nets reportedly set a high asking price. Sources indicate Brooklyn is looking for a package that includes two future first-round picks and a young player in exchange for a sharpshooter. This high demand likely cooled the interest of multiple teams, including Sacramento.

The Kings are currently 22-20 in eighth place in the Western Conference, buoyed by an impressive 9-1 record over their last 10 games. While their recent form has generated optimism, their interest in Johnson appears to have waned as they explore alternative moves to bolster their squad.

Johnson, who is currently enjoying the best season of his career, is averaging 19.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game while shooting 49.1% from the field and 41.9% from three-point range. His ability to stretch the floor and provide defensive versatility makes him a valuable asset to any team looking to contend. Even so, Brooklyn’s high valuation has made a trade less likely in the near term.

As the trade deadline nears, the Kings’ pursuit of Johnson remains dormant, opening the door for other teams to become more serious contenders for the versatile power forward. For now, the Nets are holding on to Johnson, maintaining their stance on his significant asking price.