Keon

Johnson

Johnson finished last season on a two-way deal with the Nets, but he has played well enough this summer to earn a full contract. In four appearances, he has averaged 16.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.8 blocks and 1.5 triples per game. If the Nets end up tanking this upcoming season, Johnson may be able to provide some fantasy value later in the season.

After being on a two-way contract last season, Johnson is playing with the Nets as an unrestricted free agent. Simply put, there’s a lot on the line for the 2021 first-round pick. Johnson rose to the challenge on Sunday, lighting up the team that drafted him. He shot 4-of-8 from beyond the arc, scored on all three levels, and impacted passing lanes defensively. However, Johnson is not a player fantasy managers need to have on their radar, as he isn’t a lock to be on an NBA roster come Opening Night.

Walker is back after a two-game absence, giving the Nets a key scorer off the bench. He’s capable of providing deep-league value despite coming off the bench, especially with the Nets moving Spencer Dinwiddie at the deadline. Walker’s return should push Keon Johnson out of the rotation, which would not impact fantasy basketball.

Walker has missed their last two games, but he should be back on Saturday. He has filled a large role off the bench this season, and his return will likely push Keon Johnson out of the rotation after he played 14 minutes on Thursday.

Just over a week after he was waived by the Suns, Johnson is headed to Brooklyn for the next phase of his professional basketball career. The 2021 first-round pick appeared in 40 games for the Trail Blazers last season, averaging 4.7 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. Johnson will likely see most of his playing time with the Nets’ G League affiliate on Long Island.

There were rumors in September that Phoenix would waive Johnson and Ish Wainright, and now both have been released. It shouldn’t be a surprise due to the rumors, but the Suns are now at 15 players, so they won’t have to make any more cuts before the season starts.

Nothing is official yet, but the Suns are expected to move on from both players after acquiring Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little, Grayson Allen and Johnson in the Damian Lillard trade. Phoenix has worked hard to add depth this summer, which gives them the flexibility to move on from these guys. Johnson hasn’t done much since the Clippers selected him with the 21st pick in 2021, but he has loads of potential and athleticism. He should be able to find a new team to play for.

Little and Johnson had little fantasy value heading into this season on a rebuilding Blazers roster, and their fantasy value is nearly non-existent now that they’ve landed with a title contender. Jabari Walker and Kris Murray could find more playing time now on an even thinner Portland team.

Johnson only played one minute in Friday’s Summer League opener before having to exit. He injured the middle finger on his right hand reaching for a steal and has been ruled out for the remainder of the night. This summer is a big one for Johnson, who is looking to establish himself as a member of the Trail Blazers’ rotation after seeing a boost in minutes once the team pulled the plug on the 2022-23 campaign.

Thybulle is just another name on Portland’s massive injury list. Guys like Keon Johnson and Kevin Knox should continue to see expanded minutes, and both should handle even more if Thybulle is out.