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Chaney Johnson Talks Nets Future, Summer League Breakout
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- Chaney Johnson Talks Nets Future, Summer League Breakout
Chaney Johnson Talks Nets Future, Summer League Breakout
(Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
Brooklyn Nets forward Chaney Johnson is heading into the 2026-27 season with a lot of confidence.
After a strong Summer League showing, Johnson recently joined Connor Long on The Brooklyn Boys Show to talk about his journey with the Nets, his development, his goals for the upcoming season, and some questions submitted by Nets fans.
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Johnson's path to Brooklyn wasn't a traditional one. He began last season with the Cleveland Charge before joining the Long Island Nets and eventually getting his chance with the NBA team.
That experience helped him figure out what he needed to do to stick at the next level.
"I just love the game. I'm just trying to go out there and have fun and play hard," Johnson said.
Johnson explained that instead of trying to come into the NBA and immediately establish himself as a scorer, he has focused on becoming the type of player coaches can trust to do whatever is needed.
That approach helped him earn his opportunity with Brooklyn, and it was on full display during Summer League.
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Johnson averaged 13 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.3 steals during the Las Vegas portion of Summer League, with his 3.3 steals per game leading the tournament.
The defensive production was nothing new for Johnson, who made an impact on that end of the floor during his time with Long Island and in his limited NBA opportunities last season.
Still, he believes there is another level he can reach.
Johnson said one of his biggest goals heading into the season is to become a better film student. Rather than relying only on his instincts, he wants to learn the tendencies of opposing players and understand the offenses he will be facing.
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That could be especially important for a player who is capable of defending multiple positions.
Johnson spent plenty of time playing center during Summer League despite standing just 6-foot-7. He said he has to rely on his athleticism, quickness, strength and positioning when going up against bigger players.
"You can't beat height," Johnson said. "So just trying to do everything I can and use the culmination of all my strengths."
Johnson also feels comfortable with the way Brooklyn uses its centers under head coach Jordi Fernandez.
The Nets have emphasized quick decisions and dribble handoffs from the five, and Johnson believes that style gives him opportunities to make plays beyond simply scoring around the basket.
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He is still working on his handle, but he has also spent a significant portion of the offseason working on his jumper.
Johnson said he has been getting plenty of shooting reps with Nets shooting coach Dave Love, focusing on his mechanics, balance and hand placement. He believes his confidence as a shooter has come a long way.
His goal for the upcoming season is to become an even better shooter than he was during Summer League.
Johnson also gave Nets fans plenty to be excited about when discussing the team's young core.
"We got some stuff cooking here in Brooklyn," Johnson said.
He specifically singled out Nolan Traore when asked which of Brooklyn's young players has made the biggest jump this offseason.
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Johnson said he has seen improvements from several of the Nets' young players, but Traore stood out to him because of the strength he has added since last season.
Johnson also praised the team's veterans, particularly Julius Randle and Michael Porter Jr.
He described Randle as someone who brings toughness and grit to the group, while he couldn't help but marvel at Porter Jr.'s shooting ability for someone his size.
As for what Nets fans should expect this season, Johnson kept his answer simple.
"Just be ready," he said. "We're ready to win."
Johnson also defended Fernandez when asked why Nets fans should remain confident in their head coach after Brooklyn's struggles over the past two seasons.
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According to Johnson, Fernandez has remained one of the most positive coaches in the locker room regardless of whether the team wins or loses.
"He cares about winning, but he cares about his players just as much," Johnson said.
The interview also featured several questions from Nets fans, giving Johnson a chance to talk about some of the things that have helped make him a fan favorite in Brooklyn.
One fan asked about the nickname "Chainator," which Johnson had a pretty funny reaction to.
"It reminds me of the Baconator," Johnson joked.
Johnson said he would even wear a Chainator shirt if a fan brought one to a game.
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He was also asked about the chants that broke out for him at Barclays Center last season. Johnson said he wants to hear them again, only louder.
"The love in Brooklyn is crazy," he said.
Johnson has clearly noticed the support from Nets fans, even mentioning that he followed back and interacted with one fan after seeing a video of the chants on TikTok.
The fan questions also allowed Johnson to reveal the toughest players he has had to defend in the NBA so far.
He named Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, citing his intelligence and ability to draw fouls, while Detroit Pistons big man Jalen Duren earned his other selection because of his strength.
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For Johnson, the next step is turning everything he has worked on over the summer into an opportunity during the regular season.
He believes he can earn consistent rotation minutes, but he isn't putting a specific number on it.
Instead, Johnson said he plans to attack every day, every workout, every recovery session and every opportunity that comes his way.
"If I just get the opportunity ... I'm leaving nothing on the court," Johnson said.
After going from the G League to the Nets last season and then putting together one of Summer League's better individual performances this summer, Johnson has put himself in position to compete for a bigger role.
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Now, he'll have to show that same energy and versatility when the games start counting again.
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