Nets may have interest in former first-round pick Stanley Johnson

The Nets are eyeing free-agent forward Stanley Johnson and may have interest in signing him, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Johnson has been around Nets players and staff members in Southern California for his offseason workouts, Scotto adds.

Johnson, 25, was the eighth-overall pick in the 2015 draft and spent the first three-and-a-half seasons of his NBA career in Detroit before being traded to New Orleans. He played for the Raptors from 2019-21, earning a spot in the team’s regular rotation this past season.

Johnson’s 2020-21 numbers (4.4 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, .382/.328/.800 shooting) in 61 games for Toronto don’t exactly jump off the page, but he did provide some energy and defensive versatility off the bench. The Nets aren’t exactly lacking for offense, so a defense-first player like Johnson could be a fit.

Currently, Brooklyn has 13 players on fully guaranteed contracts, with DeAndre’ Bembry on a partial guarantee and Alize Johnson on a non-guaranteed deal. If the team buys out or trades DeAndre Jordan, a roster spot could open up for Johnson or another veteran free agent, such as Isaiah Hartenstein. Unsigned second-round picks Marcus Zegarowski and RaiQuan Gray are also in the picture, though the Nets already have two rookies on their 15-man roster and might not want to add any more.