Suns Kept Cam Johnson Off Limits in Trade Talks, per Report
The Phoenix Suns are currently in negotiations with power forward Cam Johnson on a new contract that would keep him in the Valley for the foreseeable future.
Johnson was officially elevated into the starting lineup after the Suns and Crowder mutually agreed to part ways, although the team has yet to find a trade partner.
Johnson is expected by many to eventually strike a deal and remain with Phoenix despite the amount of years and dollar amount supposedly differing between the two sides.
The Suns value Johnson, and that was made clear over the summer when they reportedly failed to include him in major trade deals.
There were whispers of that being true, but NBA Insider Jake Fischer confirmed that in a recent report.
Fischer offered this to say on Johnson's availability over the summer while also giving a ballpark estimate of what the Suns would like to sign him to:
"During the team’s trade pursuit of Kevin Durant this summer, sources said, Suns officials remained steadfast that Johnson was off limits — although one source said Phoenix did ultimately include him in an offer. Johnson is extension-eligible himself, and early indications suggested the Suns had hoped to re-sign the 26-year-old sharpshooter in the ballpark of four years and $72 million. Every dollar more will add to Phoenix’s already pricey luxury tax bill, which is surely coloring the Suns’ ongoing trade talks regarding Crowder."
That figure averages out to $18 million per season, which sounds accurate for what he may command.
If Johnson and the Suns don't strike a deal, he will enter next offseason as a restricted free agent, something Phoenix would love to avoid again after doing the same with Deandre Ayton just over the summer.
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