Nets Part Ways with Keon Johnson After Mixed Season

The Brooklyn Nets have waived guard Keon Johnson, ending a chapter with a former starter after a season that showed promise but also inconsistency. The move reflects the team’s effort to retool its backcourt ahead of the next campaign.

What Went Down

Keon Johnson started 56 games for the Nets last season, averaging about 10.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game in roughly 24.4 minutes of playing time. Although those numbers showed flashes, they weren’t always enough to keep him in the rotation with competition growing.

Johnson was under contract for the second year of a two-year, $4.51 million deal. But only a small portion—around $271,614—was guaranteed for the upcoming season, making his waiver a way for Brooklyn to free up roster flexibility and limit financial risk.

Career Snapshot

Selected No. 21 in the 2021 NBA Draft, Johnson has bounced around a few franchises. Before Brooklyn, he played with the Clippers and Trail Blazers, in total appearing in 161 games and starting in 68 of them. Across all those appearances, his career averages sit at about 8.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.

Why the Nets Made the Move

Brooklyn is loaded with guard options. The squad brought back Cam Thomas via a qualifying offer, added Kobe Bufkin recently, and has promising first-round picks like Egor Demin, Ben Saraf, and Nolan Traore waiting in the wings. With this depth, Johnson’s roster spot and the guaranteed money tied to him became more expendable.

Waiving him may also let the Nets make other signings or keep flexibility, especially given the competitive demand in the Eastern Conference and the salary caps that shuffle each off-season.

What’s Next for Keon Johnson

At 23 years old, Johnson still has time on his side. His athleticism, previous starts, and experience in multiple NBA systems make him an attractive option for teams in need of backcourt depth. He may explore offers from other NBA teams, or possibly look abroad to rebuild.