There’s going to be a change in the Suns’ starting lineup. Jae Crowder on the start, it is Cameron Johnson who will take his place with the holders. A just reward for a player who has steadily improved over the past three seasons.
This is one of the surprises of this start to the season: Jae Crowder, indestructible holder of Phoenix for two years who is exempt from training camp due to an upcoming trade. Why would the local pit bull want to leave a franchise that squats the first spots in the West? According John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports, the reason is twofold. First of all, the player has only one year left on his contract and the franchise did not seem particularly ready to offer him an extension. On the other hand, the Cactus would have informed Crowder during the summer that he would now start with the second unit. What push the player to request a trade. Jae is leaving soon, so who will take her place alongside Deandre Ayton? Monty Williams has decided and Cameron Johnson will now play in the five. A great promotion for the man who was the sixth appointed man of the Suns last year, even finishing on the podium for the Sixth Man Of the Year award. Johnson in 2022 was 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 46% shooting and over 42% parking!
Even if Cam’s profile is not exactly the same as Crowder’s, especially on the athletic level, the two players still have certain points in common: a very serious defense and the ability to punish from afar. Offensively, Johnson’s ceiling is still higher than that of the veteran and we saw him set fire to several times last year when the team was deprived of its leaders (including a peak at 38 pawns out of bench once morest New York). The starting position is not new for him because he has already started 16 games in 2021-22.. Constantly progressing since his Draft three years ago, Cameron Johnson is therefore ready to take a new step and Monty Williams wants to see him contribute more in attack, just like Mikal Bridge. Comments transcribed by Kellan Olson from Arizona Sports.
“We hope that he and Mikal can take initiatives in attack. These guys have the ability to facilitate and I just didn’t give them the chance. There will be times when it won’t look great, but I think that’s where they’ll grow. »
A Cam Johnson more involved in attack means stats that are likely to climb a little more and it will be very useful to him when he comes to negotiate a new contract. Entering his fourth NBA season, the winger is already eligible for an extension and if he doesn’t get it by October 17, he will test the market next summer. as a restricted free agent, which means the Suns will be able to match any outside offers. If he continues to show so much progress, the amount of the check will undoubtedly be substantial.
Jae Crowder on the start, Cameron Johnson is the new holder of the position of strong winger at the Suns! What hope for a real explosion before going for a plump contract next summer?
Source texte : Arizona Sports
