Chaney Johnson kept making the Nets pay attention in Summer League, and he did it the hard way: by outworking people.
The two-way forward, who landed a contract after going undrafted last year, boosted his case with a strong run in Las Vegas. Brian Lewis of the New York Post wrote that Johnson’s hustle and his ability to handle multiple spots helped raise his stock. He was even used as an undersized center in the California Classic, then showed up as Brooklyn’s third-best player in Vegas behind Egor Demin and lottery pick Mikel Brown Jr., according to Lewis.
Johnson finished as the top steal-getter among all Vegas players at 3.3 per game, while also averaging 13.0 points and 8.3 rebounds. He shot 67.7 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from three and 80.0 percent at the line.
“I feel like my main goal is just to be the hardest-playing player out there,” Johnson said. “So, whatever the team needs, that’s my job.”
That kind of production earned him consideration for a spot on the 15-man roster.
Elsewhere in the Atlantic Division, the Sixers’ acquisition of All-Star forward Jaylen Brown set off a wave of reactions inside the locker room. Gina Mizell of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that VJ Edgecombe got a call from executive vice president of basketball operations Jameer Nelson, who told him to call back right away. Edgecombe thought something else was coming.
“I was like, ‘Man, it’s free agency, why you calling me so much?’” Edgecombe said. “I thought I was gone.”
Justin Edwards had a similar reaction when the news broke.
“They were talking about Jaylen Brown and PG, (Paul George) but I didn’t pay attention to it,” Edwards said. “I [saw] it, but I looked away.
Then I looked again. I’m like, ‘Oh, snap!’
So I called ’Rese (Tyrese Maxey) and he was like, ‘Yeah, man, I knew since this morning.’ I’m like, ‘That’s crazy.’”
The move also leaves Philadelphia in a tight spot when it comes to future draft capital. Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com noted that the Sixers are now limited in what they can do with first-round picks.
Their 2028 first-rounder is tied to the Celtics and Clippers and would likely have little value, since the upside has already been sent to Boston and the pick could even fail to convey as a first-rounder. That leaves only the 2033 first-round pick as one that could be moved at full value.
On the Knicks side, Jalen Brunson said he’ll need a cast for at least another month after wrist surgery earlier this month. Speaking with Variety’s Marlow Stern, Brunson explained the pain he dealt with and how the issue affected his shot.
“I was more in pain when I wasn’t in the game versus when we were actually playing. I feel like the adrenaline took over.
But yeah, it was definitely an obstacle, but we found a way through,” he said. “Because it’s my tendon and my structure, my wrist is fine.
There was soft tissue that was holding my tendon and it kept flipping and snapping over the bone every time I shot, every time I flicked my wrist, and so clearly it was causing pain, causing friction… I’ll be in this [cast] for about another six weeks, and then from that point on, it’s just my rehab after that. But I should be good.”
A video clip of the interview can be found here.
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Browns value has long been tied to the kind of role Philadelphia can use, especially after he helped anchor Denvers defense during its title run. He is still available in free agency, and the Sixers view him as a player who can fit alongside their core without needing the ball in his hands much, which is why this search feels less like a luxury and more like the next necessary step. [Read more 🡒]