Just when everyone thought all the haggling and bargaining would end in the 2024 offseason, three teams surprised the league with a transfer, the highlights of which were Brandon Ingram’s move to the Utah Jazz, the Brooklyn Nets with John Collins and a 2025 first-round pick, and the New Orleans Pelicans with Walker Kessler and Cameron Johnson.

Interestingly, Johnson was considered a perfect transfer candidate for the Charlotte Hornets earlier this summer. The 2019 draft lottery pick would have fit well in the Hornets’ frontcourt due to his 3-and-defense skills.

As it turns out, Charlotte may not have been so keen on the former Nets striker after all. Or perhaps the club simply didn’t have the resources to sign him.

Would Johnson have been a good fit for the Hornets? The likely answer to that question is yes, because he can efficiently sink long-range shots, create shots for himself when needed, and defend at least three positions respectably.

Charlotte also had a quiet offseason that seems to show the team is no closer to contending. The organization’s most notable moves were signing a player who could be a long-term project, Tidjane Salaun, and re-signing Miles Bridges, which some people find embarrassing.

Signing Johnson would have given the Hornets’ loyal fans a little more optimism.

However, looking at what Brooklyn got out of the recent three-way deal, it seems like the team would have had to part with a player of Ingram’s caliber or a first-round pick. Additionally, a straight trade with the Nets would have forced Charlotte to trade away several players, as the former Phoenix Suns forward’s contract would pay him at least $22.5 million next season.

In some ways, the five-year veteran probably could have proved worthwhile. But given that he turns 29 in the middle of the 2024-25 regular season and it might be in the Hornets’ best interest not to rush their rebuild, they did well to hold on and not get involved in the Cam Johnson sweepstakes.

One question for the coaching staff now is who to put in the starting lineup alongside projected starters LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Bridges and Mark Williams. Johnson would certainly have gotten that spot had he been sent to Charlotte.