A long list of Brooklyn Nets players were expected to vie for rotation spots this season. Chaney Johnson wasn't one of them.
Yet, the sophomore forward has emerged as one of Brooklyn's preseason standouts. His training camp performance earned him minutes with the second unit during the team's first two preseason games. He's taken advantage of those opportunities, flashing the defensive versatility and offensive play-finishing that intrigued the Nets' brass over the last year.
“[Chaney's] versatility [stands out]. He’s multi-positional, really strong, and can guard multiple positions. He can play on both sides of the floor,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said Thursday following Brooklyn's preseason win over the 76ers. “Today he was more of a five, and on Tuesday against Charlotte he was more of a four. And then you see his intent to do everything the right way. This summer he worked really hard. He had a very good summer league, but he’s also had a very good camp. You see his intensity and physicality, and it's something that we need. Obviously, there's nothing guaranteed here. He's got to keep growing. I think other guys are also doing a great job. So, I think the team is in the right place competing for minutes.”
Asked Jordi Fernandez about Chaney Johnson running with the second unit during preseason games:
“He worked really hard this summer, he had a very good summer league, and he’s also had a very good camp. You see his intensity and physicality, and it's something that we need.“ pic.twitter.com/H1ICy8es38
— Erik Slater (@ErikSlater_) October 9, 2026
Johnson signed a two-way contract with the Nets midway through last season after going undrafted out of Auburn.
The 6-foot-7 forward performed well during a late-season NBA call-up. Johnson then dominated with the Nets' Summer League team, averaging 13.5 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 30-of-45 (66.7 percent) from the field and 4-of-8 from three across six outings.
Nets forward Chaney Johnson turning heads with preseason performance
Standing 6-foot-7, 235 pounds, with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, Johnson has NBA size, strength, and athleticism. Those attributes, along with his motor, basketball IQ and ability to play multiple positions, could earn him a rotation role with the Nets.
“I don't have enough time here to express how proud I am of [Chaney]. How happy I am for him, and how happy I am to have him on this team. He's the hardest-working guy in the gym,” Egor Demin said. “He obviously has so much physical talent. That's a gift. We have a debate in the gym about who's the strongest, and it's probably between him and Day'Ron [Sharpe]. We might put them in the ring at some point… [Chaney's] going to develop into a regular contract at some point. And I think he's going to be amazing. I'm glad to have him as a teammate. He does the work that not many people want to do on the court. And he's grateful for having that opportunity. I think that’s rare, and I appreciate him a lot [for it].”
Article Continues BelowAsked Egor Demin about Chaney Johnson last night:
“[Chaney] is the hardest working guy in the gym… He’s going to develop into a [standard] contract at some point. He’s going to be amazing. I'm glad to have him as a teammate. He does the work that not many people want to do on… https://t.co/cqYfD4yxNf pic.twitter.com/83jbQELEKi
— Erik Slater (@ErikSlater_) October 9, 2026
While he's impressed over the last year, Johnson's position remains a question entering this season. At 6-foot-7, he doesn't have the height to be a full-time center. However, it's unclear whether he has the ball-handling or outside shooting to play alongside a traditional center.
Johnson shot 33.0 percent on 3.4 three-point attempts per 36 minutes as a rookie across his 24 G League appearances and 17 NBA outings. His ability to develop his shooting stroke while maintaining his impact as a defender and interior scorer could determine how far he goes with Brooklyn.
“It's whatever gets me paid,” Johnson said at Summer League when asked what role he envisions for himself. “I will do whatever it takes. Whatever the team needs, I'm there… My main goal is to be the hardest-playing player out there, so whatever the team needs, that's my job.”