Suns Speak on Cam Johnson Not Being Extended
The Phoenix Suns and forward Cam Johnson were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension earlier this week.
Johnson will play the last year of his rookie deal and is set to hit restricted free agency next summer, a debacle the Suns just overcame with Deandre Ayton months ago.
It's an unfortunate part of the business, but it's precisely that: A business. The Suns and Johnson both want to maximize their part of the sport in the safest way possible.
Not much has leaked from either camp, but the outside belief is Johnson wanted around $20 million annually, whereas the Suns wanted that number to drop.
Johnson says he isn't too worried.
“Either way, I’m excited to play this year,” Johnson said after Tuesday's practice (h/t Duane Rankin). “That doesn’t change anything about what’s going on now. It doesn’t change my approach. I was excited for this season for many reasons and the contract doesn’t necessarily fit into that in terms of change.
“I would’ve loved to have come to a conclusion. I love it here, but the fact of the matter is that I’m here for this year and that is what I’m focused on. I’m excited. We’ve got a good group. We’ve had a good group and we want to win a championship.”
A handful of Suns also spoke on Johnson's contract situation, with even head coach Monty Williams chiming in.
“For the most part, I can feel what they’re going through,” Williams said.
“I’ve been through contract negotiations as a player and as a coach and there’s a level of emotion that goes with it, but at the end of the day, they’re all business decisions. You try to separate the two, but it’s hard, especially when you’re emotionally attached to a team.
“When he didn’t come to an agreement, I didn’t see it as a bad thing. I just thought to myself, well, I hope you play yourself into the money you want. That’s the way I look at it and I think he’s more than capable of doing that.”
Ayton, who has plenty of recent experience in that arena, was also able to comment:
“You control what you can control,” Ayton said. “Everybody knows that. Cam is a smart dude. What he does best is focus on him. He’s a guy who trusts his team. I’m sure he’s in good hands. Cam is a strong dude. He loves being in the Valley.”
Mikal Bridges, who was also in a similar spot to Johnson, has been a big help for the UNC product through that window.
"He ran it down for me. He was telling me the situation. Cam’s so smart so he knows and understands everything. I was more confused in not understanding why," said Bridges.
Everybody seems to be a bit disappointed, and at minimum supportive of Johnson after failing to get an extension.
However, plenty of basketball rests ahead for Johnson to increase his value.
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