Ranking the 10 best available small forwards in NBA free agency

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Apr 22, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson (2) celebrates with guard Seth Curry (30) after a basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter of game four of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Cameron Johnson

Cameron Johnson came to the Brooklyn Nets as a part of the Kevin Durant trade and has blossomed in a bigger role. His minutes rose to around 30 per game and his production rose all across the board to 16.6 points per game on good efficiency, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.4 steals.

Johnson is a good versatile defender who can guard both forward positions very effectively. Besides that, he also shot 41.5 percent on catch-and-shoot threes last season and can stretch the floor well. Thus, Johnson would be the perfect addition for all teams looking for a high-level 3-and-D forward.

The Nets obviously value Johnson enough to view him as a lucrative return for Kevin Durant but their future is still somewhat of a question mark now that they have lost their big stars and exited the playoffs in the first round. Johnson will be a restricted free agent, so the Nets could match any offer he gets from other teams but there will be much interest in Johnson. Some teams might even be willing to offer him a big contract that the Nets are not willing to pay if they are trying to attract new star power.