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Nets waive Keon Johnson in surprise move before start of training camp
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- Nets waive Keon Johnson in surprise move before start of training camp
Keon Johnson was waived by the Brooklyn Nets.
In a surprise, Keon Johnson won't be a member of the Nets this coming season.
The team requested waivers on one of last year's most productive players.
Days before training camp, they became even less experienced.
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The 23-year-old Johnson was a major piece of the Nets last season, starting 56 games and averaging 10.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists.
Only Jalen Wilson logged more minutes and the 6-foot-5 Johnson led the Nets in total games played (79).
Johnson, it should be noted, was dealing with an unspecified injury, which played a part in the move, The Post's Brian Lewis reported
Minutes also will be harder to come by in the backcourt, after the Nets used three of their five first-round picks on guards, selecting Egor Dëmin , Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf .
Keon Johnson was waived by the Nets. Noah K. Murray-NY Post
Before the release of Johnson, the Nets were at 19 standard contracts. A team can only have 15 at the start of the season.
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A former star at Tennessee, Johnson was taken with the 21st pick in the 2021 draft by the Knicks and dealt to the Clippers for Quentin Grimes . He also played for the Trail Blazers before joining the Nets for the 2023-24 season.
Johnson was a bright spot last winter in a difficult season — the Nets won just 26 games, their fewest since the 2016-17 season — averaging a career high in points and rebounds.
Keon Johnson slams home a dunk during the Nets' 121-119 home loss to the Warriors last season. Robert Sabo for NY Post
He became a favorite of first-year head coach Jordi Fernández, a quality defender with a strong motor. But with the Nets loading up in the draft, there was less of an opportunity.
