Cameron Johnson's Return Will Boost Suns' Entire Ecosystem
It has been 72 days since the Phoenix Suns have had Cameron Johnson in their starting lineup. Some days have felt like seasons in themselves while others have been blocked out for mental health purposes. None of those days have been forgiven by the basketball Gods.
The Suns are just 2-8 in their last ten games, largely due to injuries plaguing everybody from Johnson to Devin Booker and Chris Paul among others.
Johnson started the 2022-23 season elevated to starter status after playing a key bench role during the first three years of his NBA career. His placement among starters pushed Jae Crowder effectively out of town prior to the start of training camp.
Johnson averaged 13 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists through eight games to begin the year. Johnson looked a little green as a starter when the season first started but appeared to be pumping the gas with a season high 29 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Nov. 1st.
While not trying to sound silly, it does feel important to note that not only was Nov. 4th the last time the Suns' starting five played together it also became the last time the Phoenix's bench played as it was designed to.
Now, Johnson is nearing his return.
The Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin spoke with Johnson and the forward suggests he'll be back soon:
"Not anything firm right now. Just sometime when I get back from the trip, but I feel pretty good. Taking it one day at a time right now, but I'm looking forward to getting back soon. Very soon," Johnson said.
Torrey Craig was the natural replacement for Johnson and has fit in better than anyone could have hoped. Craig has played comparable to Jae Crowder in the 2021-22 season. Craig as a starter is averaging 9.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, on 46.6% shooting compared to Crowders’ 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, on 39.9% shooting.
Johnson returning will not only add another +40% 3-point shooter to the third-best team from three, but his presence will also give the Suns' bench an offensive upgrade in Craig who would become the highest-shooting bench player and fifth overall on the team.
The return of guards Cam Payne and Landry Shamet should also free Monty Williams up to utilize his typical rotations and piece together more organic lineups on the floor.
The Suns' 21-23 record puts them 10th in the Western Conference as they continue to slide. Johnson and Craig can do big things once Johnson can return. They finish their road trip against Memphis on Monday before returning home to face Brooklyn on Thursday.
Other pieces are set to return from injury as well, but there's no doubting what Johnson's return can do for the entire lineup.
