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- Why Los Angeles is targeting a shooter like Cam Johnson
- An outline of the trade the Clippers could send
- Why Bogdanovic and Batum might appeal to Denver
- Cam Johnson’s recent trajectory and how he might fit with the Clippers
- How he complements LA’s young wings—and where overlap exists
- Key caveats: contracts, chemistry, and durability
The Los Angeles Clippers face a pivotal offseason after a stinging Play-In loss to the Golden State Warriors. That collapse exposed a roster hole: a ready-made, two-way wing who can relieve Kawhi Leonard and change the matchup dynamics late in games. Reports now link the Clippers to Denver forward Cam Johnson, and the franchise must decide how far it will go to land him.
Why Los Angeles is targeting a shooter like Cam Johnson
The Clippers’ collapse in the Play-In underlined a simple truth: when Kawhi Leonard is neutralized, the team needs more consistent scoring from others. Los Angeles has talent, but it lacks a reliable floor spacer who can also hold defensive assignments.
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Cam Johnson offers spacing, catch-and-shoot chops, and the ability to create secondary offense. That profile fits the Clippers’ needs, particularly if they anticipate Leonard having limited availability or facing tougher defensive schemes next season.
An outline of the trade the Clippers could send
Insiders suggest the Clippers might send Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nicolas Batum to Denver as the core of a package for Johnson.
- Bogdan Bogdanovic: Struggled this season with injuries and limited minutes. When healthy, he is still a quality shooter who could regain rhythm in a new role.
- Nicolas Batum: Provides veteran leadership and depth. He played 74 games and could help mentor Denver’s younger wings.
Those pieces could be appealing to the Nuggets, who may want veteran stability and shooting while they retool after an early playoff exit.
Why Bogdanovic and Batum might appeal to Denver
Bogdanovic’s season was derailed by a hamstring issue that limited him to a low number of games and minutes. The result was a dip in output and opportunity.
A change of scenery beside a playmaker like Nikola Jokic could restore Bogdanovic’s form. Jokic tends to elevate teammates by creating open shots and simplified reads.
Batum, meanwhile, would be a rotational veteran who can guide young forwards such as Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, and Spencer Jones. His experience could help Denver maintain depth while it evaluates its long-term rotation.
Cam Johnson’s recent trajectory and how he might fit with the Clippers
Denver acquired Johnson in a swap that included Michael Porter Jr. and a draft pick. He arrived with a reputation as an efficient floor spacer but had an uneven first season in Denver.
Inconsistent role clarity and a knee injury that sidelined him for an extended stretch limited his impact. His averages dipped to 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 30.5 minutes across 54 games.
With the Clippers, Johnson could regain a clearer role. He can:
- Space the floor for Leonard and other scorers.
- Create offense off the catch and put the ball on the deck when needed.
- Slide into a sixth-man role or start, depending on matchups.
His ability to relieve pressure on Kawhi would be the Clippers’ primary motive. That flexibility could matter in playoff series where defensive focus tightens.
How he complements LA’s young wings—and where overlap exists
Los Angeles saw breakout seasons from Bennedict Mathurin and Jordan Miller. Both provided energy, defense, and timely shooting.
Some worry Johnson would duplicate those skills. Yet depth at wing rarely hurts in today’s NBA.
- Johnson brings veteran shooting instincts and proven catch-and-shoot efficiency.
- Mathurin and Miller offer youth, athleticism, and defensive upside.
Rotation flexibility would allow the Clippers to stagger lineups and keep constant spacing without sacrificing defense.
Key caveats: contracts, chemistry, and durability
Any move hinges partly on Kawhi Leonard’s contract status. Leonard has one year remaining on his deal, which impacts how aggressive LA must be in short-term moves.
Other factors the Clippers must weigh:
- Johnson’s durability after a knee issue.
- Whether Bogdanovic can rebound into a consistent role elsewhere.
- Salary and roster mechanics tied to multiple veteran contracts.
Balancing immediate upgrade and long-term roster health will be central to any trade negotiation.
