Report: Phoenix Suns don't sign Cam Johnson to rookie extension, will be restricted free agent
No rookie extension for Cam Johnson.
ESPN reported Johnson didn't receive a rookie extension from the Phoenix Suns as the two sides had until 3 p.m. Monday to agree on a deal.
Johnson will now be a restricted free agent going into free agency next summer. He's in the final year of a four-year deal.
Suns General Manager James Jones said earlier this summer the team and Johnson were having discussions about an extension.
No rookie extension deals for Phoenix's Cam Johnson, Charlotte's P.J. Washington or Boston's Grant Williams -- all headed to restricted free agency next summer, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 17, 2022
“Cam is a big part of what we do,” Jones said. “Really excited for the progress he’s shown over the last few years, especially last year. I think he’s primed to take some steps forward. We’re excited about this team and we’re excited about the guys on this team one through 16. He’s definitely someone we’re going to need to have take another step if we want to continue to progress and grow as a group.”
Johnson has been consistent in saying he loves playing in Phoenix. The 2019 lottery selection out of North Carolina has gone from being a questionable pick to becoming one of the NBA’s best shooters.
He was a finalist for NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award won by Heat guard Tyler Herro. Still, Johnson was taking into account all facets of the situation.
An ideal amount to pay Johnson on an extension would've been $15 million a year.
“You have to expect a team to do what’s in their best interests and you have to expect individual people, in turn, to do what’s in their best interests,” Johnson said in an 1-on-1 interview with The Republic this summer. “The bottom line is I’ve really loved my time here and if we can get something done, I’d be very happy about it.”
The Suns went into this season looking to start Johnson. The decision played a role in Jae Crowder looking to leave after being a key contributor to Phoenix reaching the finals in 2021 and winning a franchise-record 64 games to have the NBA’s best record last season.
Starting all 80 games he played last season counting playoffs, Crowder is in the final year of a three-year deal. The veteran forward and the Suns “mutually agreed” he wouldn’t attend training camp as the Suns have been looking to trade him.
Teams had until 2 p.m. Monday to submit their rosters for opening night, which is Tuesday. The 76ers and Celtics play each other in the first regular season game at 4:30 p.m. in Boston to start a doubleheader.
The Warriors and Lakers play the second game Tuesday at 7 p.m. in San Francisco. Golden State will receive their championship rings from winning last season’s finals.
The Suns open at home on Wednesday against Dallas.
The Suns announced Mikal Bridges and Landry Shamet signing rookie extensions the day before the NBA began its 2021-22 season.
Bridges agreed to a four-year, $90-million deal while Shamet signed for four years, $43 million.
Deandre Ayton and the Suns were unable to agree to a rookie max extension or any extension before the season. Phoenix retained Ayton in the offseason by matching Indiana’s offer sheet of four years, $133 million.
Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns don't sign Cam Johnson to extension, will be restricted free agent
