The Brooklyn Nets made a post-Christmas roster move that could quietly pay dividends down the stretch, officially signing 6-foot-7 swingman Chaney Johnson to a two-way contract. That means Johnson will split time between the Nets and their G League affiliate, giving Brooklyn some added depth and flexibility on the wing.
Johnson comes over from the Cleveland Charge, where he put together a solid run in the G League. He averaged 12.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, while also contributing on the defensive end with 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest. But what really turned heads was a stretch in early November where he rattled off three straight 20-point games - a glimpse of the offensive punch he’s capable of providing.
Before turning pro, Johnson played his college ball at Auburn, where he carved out a role as a do-it-all forward for Bruce Pearl’s squad. He averaged 7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game in the rugged SEC, helping Auburn reach the Final Four alongside heavyweights like Houston, Florida, and Duke. While he went undrafted this past June, Johnson brings the kind of size and versatility that fits well in today’s NBA - especially for a team like Brooklyn that’s still shaping its identity under head coach Jordi Fernandez.
With Johnson in the fold, the Nets now feature a strong SEC presence on the roster. He joins Nic Claxton (Georgia), Noah Clowney (Alabama), Michael Porter Jr. (Missouri), and Cam Thomas (LSU) as former SEC standouts now repping Brooklyn.
Speaking of Thomas - there’s good news on that front. The scoring guard is on track to return from a hamstring injury that’s kept him sidelined for an extended stretch.
Before going down, Thomas was averaging 21.4 points per game, making him one of the Nets’ most consistent offensive weapons. He played in 10 games before the injury, and his absence opened the door for Brooklyn’s rookie class to step up.
And step up they did. Egor Demin, in particular, has made the most of his opportunity, earning a spot in the starting lineup.
Nolan Traore and Danny Wolf have also seen their roles increase, while Drake Powell has logged meaningful minutes off the bench. But even with the youth movement gaining momentum, Thomas’ return gives Brooklyn another proven scorer who can stretch the floor and shift defensive coverages - especially when paired with Porter Jr., who continues to lead the team in scoring and is building a strong case for his first All-Star appearance.
The Nets have quietly put together a solid December, going 6-3 so far this month. Their recent win over the Philadelphia 76ers was one of their most complete performances of the season, holding Tyrese Maxey to one of his roughest shooting nights.
Next up: a road test against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. A win there would give the Nets their 10th victory of the season - and with reinforcements arriving, including Thomas and now Johnson, Brooklyn’s rotation is starting to take shape in a way that could make them a tougher out as the season progresses.