Cam Johnson’s contract will help Nets rebuild because it’s front-loaded

LAS VEGAS — Cam Johnson’s contract with the Nets is apparently not only far more team-friendly than it initially was believed to be, but also it’s front-loaded.

The deal increases flexibility down the road in the Nets’ rebuilding, and it will become an even smaller chunk of the salary cap when the new TV money kicks in.

Johnson’s four-year deal, originally reported as $108 million, is actually $90 million in base salary — which many pundits had predicted and in line with what friend Mikal Bridges got from Phoenix before the two of them were traded to the Nets.

It includes $4.7 million in likely bonuses (which count against the cap) and $13.5 million in unlikely bonuses (which don’t).

The cap hit also decreases during the first three years of Johnson’s contract according to former Nets assistant general manager Bobby Marks, now with ESPN.

It will go from $25.7 million in the 2023-24 season, to $23.6 in 2024-25, to just $21.6 million in 2025-26 before rising to $23.6 million in 2026-27, the final season of the deal.

Those last two seasons of Johnson’s pact will come after the league negotiates a huge new TV deal, which will in turn boost the salary cap and tax threshold.

“Re-signing Cam was our top priority throughout this free agency period, and we are thrilled to have him remain in Brooklyn as a core member of the Nets for years to come,” Nets GM Sean Marks said.

“Since the moment he arrived last season, Cam immediately embraced a leadership role both on and off the court.

His versatile skill set as a two-way wing has proven to be an ideal fit with our roster, and we look forward to the positive impact he will continue to bring to our team and the Brooklyn community.”