The Brooklyn Nets learned from their mistake. The Nets kicked off their trip in Orlando with a dramatic collapse, squandering a 17-point lead in the final seven minutes. It looked like it was going to happen again, against the Bucks. Brooklyn built a massive 24-point advantage, only to find themselves clinging to a slim lead down the stretch. Despite the chaos, they escaped with a 113-110 victory, though the second half was a shaky 56-47 in Milwaukee’s favor. Cam Johnson, who’s having a standout season and is shaping up to be a hot commodity at the trade deadline, led the Nets with 26 points.

But let’s be real—while Brooklyn added a win to their record, it felt more like they dodged a bullet. Between the nail-biting finish and players dropping to injuries, the team’s night ended on a bittersweet note.

Johnson rolled his ankle while chasing the rebound from Damian Lillard’s last-second shot, which could spell trouble for the Nets if the injury lingers.

Reflecting on the moment, Johnson didn’t hold back his disappointment. “I feel real sh1tty about that,” he admitted, adding, “I have to look back. But yeah, now I kind of ruined it. So I hope it’s not serious. I feel really bad right now.”

Johnson left Fiserv Forum on crutches after injuring his ankle, a sight no Nets fan wants to see. Luckily, the X-rays came back negative, so they dodged a potential disaster. Still, Johnson was clearly in pain, and while the worst didn’t happen, he was not exactly feeling great.

His being on crutches isn’t good news for the Nets. Other teams might reduce his value after this—teams like Sacramento.

Sacramento Kings look to Cam Johnson as a solution for their troubles

The Kings, stuck at 15-19 and 12th in the Western Conference, are eyeing Nets forward Johnson, according to Sam Amick from The Athletic. The Kings recognize their roster needs work, and Johnson is high on their radar as someone who could address key weaknesses. Amick shared that while Sacramento is focused on improving its team, it has firmly closed the door on talks about De’Aaron Fox’s future.

The Kings’ pursuit of Johnson is part of a larger strategy to get better, with the team looking to make a move before the trade deadline. “Team sources say they’re looking to improve the roster while shutting down any inquiries about Fox,” Amick said. With coach Mike Brown’s recent firing, Sacramento is pushing to contend now and not in the distant future.

Johnson, averaging 19.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, could be the perfect fit for the Kings. Known for his two-way skills, he thrived alongside star guards like Devin Booker and Chris Paul in Phoenix. But the Nets’ steep asking price, set when they traded Kevin Durant for Johnson, remains an obstacle.

Sacramento’s front office, led by GM Monte McNair, is exploring various options as the trade deadline approaches on February 6. The Kings are aware their current roster isn’t built for a championship run, and they’re looking for solutions. As Amick puts it, “They know this roster is flawed.”