Kofi Inkoom
The Brooklyn Nets have officially inked a two-way contract with Johnson, as revealed in an announcement from the team.
Johnson, who was selected as the 21st overall pick in the 2021 draft, was initially traded to Phoenix as part of a three-team deal that also resulted in Damian Lillard joining Milwaukee.
However, the 21-year-old was waived by the Suns shortly before the season commenced due to roster constraints.
When Phoenix released Johnson, they opted not to exercise the fourth-year option on his rookie scale contract, but they are still responsible for his $2.8 million salary for this season.
Following his clearance from waivers, the third-year guard became an unrestricted free agent.
However, he couldn’t rejoin the Suns on a two-way deal since his contract exceeded the maximum two-way protection amount of $75,000.
Johnson, known for his explosive athleticism, was initially seen as a developmental project when he entered the draft after a single college season at Tennessee.
He faced challenges in scoring efficiently during his first two NBA seasons with the Clippers and Trail Blazers, with combined averages of 5.9 points, 1.8 assists, and 1.6 rebounds in 77 games, playing an average of 14.4 minutes per game.
Due to the crowded backcourt in the Nets, it is expected that Johnson will spend a significant portion of the 2023/24 season in the G League with their affiliate in Long Island.
Under his new two-way contract, Johnson will receive a salary of $534,045 and is eligible to play in up to 48 regular season games.