Cam Johnson isn’t thinking about the future.
There is a high possibility the Nets will move him down the road, if the season goes as most experts believe it will.
For now, he’s focused on making the most out of this situation.
“I’ve been able to feel comfortable in what’s going on,” the sharpshooting 6-foot-8 wing said. “And even with the uncertainty, it’s not like an uncertainty where I don’t think that our staff here, our front office here, has a lack of trust in me. So I feel confident in this group. I feel confident going forward. And I’m going to compete for this team. And it’s not even on my mind, really.
“I mean, there’s tons and tons and tons of basketball to be played here.”
Johnson closed the preseason in style, scoring 32 points and adding five rebounds and four assists in a four-point loss to the Raptors on Friday.
He looked ready for the coming season, hitting seven 3-pointers.
New coach Jordi Fernandez raved about his professionalism and positive attitude, the way in which he has worked as one of the rebuilding team’s leaders.
“He’s been amazing,” Fernandez said. “I can’t say enough great things about him.”
Johnson enters the year feeling ready for a big season.
It’s quite different from last year, when he was slowed by a hamstring injury and didn’t appear in any preseason games, then missed more time with a calf strain early in the season.
He’s healthy and eager to prove himself after a somewhat disappointing year in which he averaged just 13.4 points in 58 games.
“So much better, so much better,” Johnson said, when asked to compare how he feels now compared to last season at this time. “Especially at this point in the season when what we’re trying to do is build our base and build our endurance up and get those game reps.
“I kind of came into last season a couple of workouts back before that Cleveland opener, and then you’re fighting an uphill battle. So to get out there and get through this preseason, obviously a couple of high-minutes games, and to kind of build that momentum is really important, especially shooting the ball. So I’m really glad that I’ve been able to play a lot this preseason.”
Killian Hayes didn’t make the Nets, but he is remaining with the organization for the time being.
The 6-foot-5 French point guard and former lottery pick didn’t appear in any preseason games due to a hip injury and was waived on Saturday.
But he will rehab the injury and play for the team’s G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, for the time being.
The seventh-overall pick of the Pistons in 2020, Hayes has failed to live up to the hype.
He was waived by Detroit last February and signed with the Nets in September.
As a fifth-year player, Hayes was ineligible to receive a two-way contract.
Instead, the Nets gave their final two-way to former UConn star Tyrese Martin, who performed well for them during the NBA Summer League and the preseason.
The 6-foot-6 Martin averaged 4.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists in four exhibition games.
The Nets also waived guard Amari Bailey.
He is expected to join the Long Island Nets as well.
