Cam Johnson

It’s probably a good sign when about 70 percent of the league calls up a team at the deadline and asks about the availability of a player. That’s what happened with the Brooklyn Nets and Cam Johnson this year.

No trade ended up materializing though, because Brooklyn demanded a hefty return package for Johnson. As they should have. Johnson has been a rotation player for years, but has transcended “depth piece” this year, shooting and scoring at a considerably higher rate than he ever has. Sometimes players get less efficient when their roles expand, but that’s the opposite with Johnson. The more responsibility he’s taken on, the more he’s thrived.

Johnson makes his money behind the arc; well over half of his field goal attempts are 3-point shots, and he’s steadily great from out there. Nearly a 40 percent career shooter, Johnson’s numbers are almost as pretty as his actual shot — the mechanics are a thing of beauty.