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Cameron Johnson is set to return in Brooklyn's second night of the back-to-back against Boston
After a long while away from the Nets lineup, Cameron Johnson is returning against the Boston Celtics. His return to the lineup will boost Coach Jacque Vaughn's rotation because it adds more shooting and continuity.
The former North Carolina Tar Heel averages 13.9 points per game this season on solid efficiency from beyond the arc at 40.1% on 6.2 attempts. With the floor spacing he provides, playmakers like Dennis Schroder and Ben Simmons will have more reliable targets to pass to in transition and half-court sets.
“Yeah, it looks like he’s on track to play, which is good,” Coach Vaughn said about Johnson’s availability in the return leg against the Celtics.
Coach Vaughn’s conundrum with the rotation
Johnson’s return is interesting for Coach Vaughn as he’ll decide his starting lineup. History shows that he favors having Cam in the starting lineup, but JV also has an affinity for Dorian Finney-Smith.
It can also affect Cameron Thomas’ spot in the starting lineup because the Nets can feasibly run Johnson and Finney-Smith together. Mikal Bridges will slide down to the shooting guard position, and Ben Simmons or Dennis Schroder will be the point guard.
Most Nets fans want Johnson to play the power forward position while Thomas starts alongside Bridges and Simmons. That could be feasible because it’s the right balance between defense and shooting around a playmaker like Ben.
The Nets are fully healthy now
With the All-Star break coming up, the Nets can refresh and replenish their energy ahead of the second half of the season. Coach Vaughn will have a full lineup at his disposal, which boosts Brooklyn’s chances of winning.
The Nets are one of the deepest teams in the league, but the team has not maximized their potential due to a number of injuries they’ve struggled with. Ahead of the final game before All-Star Weekend against the Celtics, Brooklyn has a 21-32 record.
The Nets are still within reach of the Play-In Tournament, and Johnson’s return will be crucial to the team battling for that spot. It will be a fun second half to the season due to a complete roster that has not played for an extended period this season.
