NEW YORK -- Brooklyn Nets forwards Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith have both been involved in the trade rumor mill this offseason following the trade of Mikal Bridges. Given that Brooklyn is in the beginning of its rebuild, plenty of teams around the NBA are looking for players like Johnson and Finney-Smith, something that head coach Jordi Fernandez has not shied away from.
"Number one thing is, I ask them how they feel and if they need anything from me, if they have any questions, we'll be clear and transparent," Fernandez said when asked about the conversations that he's had with both players after training camp practice on Wednesday. Once Bridges was traded to the New York Knicks, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that Johnson and Finney-Smith were among a host of players believed to be trade candidates.
"I think (general manager) Sean (Marks) has been very clear and transparent. I love having them around," Fernandez continued. "They're great veterans and they can help us set this foundation here. Other than that, I can (only) control the controllables, same as them. If something changes, we for sure will be straightforward and let them know."
Finney-Smith said during Media Day on Monday that he understands that his name has been out in plenty of trade rumors, but he appreciates when coaches/general managers are being honest with him regarding where he stands at any given time. "Yeah, I spoke to Sean, spoke to coaches. They've been really open, and I appreciate that, you know? A lot of times in this league, coaches won't say anything to you, and they're just trying to sweep it on the road like your name ain't all over the internet. Especially since we got families," he said.
As Finney-Smith and Fernandez have said, it seems that both parties are on the same wavelength in terms of how they view the business of the NBA. Johnson even said during his media availability on Monday that he's looking forward to playing for Fernandez and being part of the team. "Right now, it's being a Brooklyn Net. Like I said, being a Brooklyn Net and being 100 percent here. I'm embracing that and I'm really excited to be here and I'm really excited to work with coach Jordi and get this thing going and establish who we wanna be," Johnson said.