Phoenix Suns’ best value contract: Cameron Johnson
The Suns forward is up for a contract extension this offseason, with the topic set to become one of the franchise’s bigger issues. But even so, Johnson’s current contract is not only the most valuable at the Suns, but one of the most valuable league wide.
Sure, he might be Phoenix’s fifth most important player, but Johnson is also set to make a significant amount less than the other four. He completes his rookie deal by making just under $6 million next season.
Johnson had a career-year last season, developing into one of the best bench players across the NBA. He averaged career-highs in minutes (26.5), points (12.5), rebounds (4.1), assists (1.5) and steals (0.9), while shooting 46% from the floor and 42.5% from three-point range.
Like Bridges, Johnson will continue to explore his offensive capacity through his ball-handling and playmaking. In 2021-22, 62.4% of Johnson’s field-goal attempts were catch-and-shoot opportunities, with 91% of his attempts coming after two or less dribbles.
Johnson’s current production is just what the organization would have hoped for when they traded for his rights in the 2019 NBA draft. It’s turned out to be a master move for the Suns, acquiring Johnson (11th pick) and Dario Saric for the sixth overall pick in Jarrett Culver.
There was plenty of scepticism around his advanced draft age, but that’s exactly what makes his contract so valuable at this stage. At 26 years of age, Johnson’s game is so much more developed and well-rounded than other players heading into their fourth season.
Johnson is a lead candidate for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award next season, but could find himself in the starting line-up in place of veteran Jae Crowder.