The Atlanta Hawks have a Traded Player Exception worth $25.2 million to potentially use this summer, and Cam Johnson could be the perfect player to target with it. With Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton likely to miss the entire 2025-26 season for the NBA’s last two Eastern Conference champions, the Hawks could be looking at one of the most wide-open conferences in recent history.
Cam Johnson could be just what the doctor ordered for a Hawks team that needs major improvements on the defensive end and from the 3-point line. Atlanta ranked No. 18 in both 3-point percentage and defensive rating this season, failing to convert top-five ranks in points per game and assist percentage into a playoff appearance.
In 57 appearances with the Brooklyn Nets last season, Johnson averaged a career-high 18.8 points and shot 47.5% from the field and 39.0% from 3-point range. The 29-year-old forward nailed 2.8 threes per game and logged the fourth season of his six-year career with 39.0% shooting or better from the 3-point line.
Johnson also made strides as a playmaker with a career-high 3.4 assists per game. He shattered his previous career high in assist percentage as well, logging an 18.5% mark when he was on the floor for Brooklyn.
If the Hawks were to acquire Johnson with their TPE, they would likely have to make a decision on whether to start Johnson or Zaccharie Risacher at small forward next season. Given the chemistry Risacher has built with Trae Young and company, Johnson would most likely come off the bench. However, a player of Johnson’s caliber could easily crack 30 minutes a night off the bench and potentially finish games depending on situations and matchups.
Cam Johnson’s experience as a sixth man could do wonders for the Hawks
In his third year with Phoenix, Johnson finished third place in Sixth Man of the Year voting as the Suns won 64 games before a second-round exit to Dallas. Given Johnson’s experience as an effective sixth man, the 3-and-D wing could seriously elevate the Hawks.
Atlanta’s bench had a bottom-half offensive rating among the league’s second units, but the Hawks reserves also ranked second in made 3-pointers and sixth in 3-point percentage. While Atlanta’s starters struggled to shoot the deep ball, the bench excelled from beyond the arc. For this reason, Johnson would fit perfectly in the Hawks’ bench lineups. He could also give Atlanta’s starting five (or closing five) a much-needed shooting boost when necessary.
Armed with picks No. 8, 19, 26, and 27 in the upcoming draft, the Nets have the proper ammunition to package a player like Johnson with draft capital to gain another lottery pick. Back in May, New York Post writer Brian Lewis reported that Brooklyn could potentially deal Johnson and their first-round picks for a lottery-level upgrade.
“For the Nets, this isn’t the time for pity. It’s time for planning and plotting,” Lewis wrote. “There is a sentiment around the league the Nets could look to land a second lottery pick by consolidating and packaging some combination of Johnson, those picks at the end of the first round and/or future draft capital.”
While Atlanta’s No. 13 pick may not gauge as much interest from the Nets as a higher lottery selection would, the rumblings of Johnson-related trades could be a sign of good fortune for the Hawks. New general manager Onsi Saleh recently made it clear that Atlanta will adopt an aggressive approach ahead of the draft, which could lead to some major moves and changes.
Whether they make a push for Johnson or not, the Hawks shouldn’t let their TPE go to waste in what could become a franchise-altering offseason.