The Nets cut out the former Clippers first round pick, but they just executed his team options this summer?

According to HoopsHype reporter Michael Scotto, the Brooklyn Nets have cut backcourt star Keon Johnson.

Johnson was born in March 2002. He is 23 years old, 196cm tall and weighs 84kg. He is the backcourt star selected by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2021 NBA Draft. During the physical test session of the joint trial before the draft, Johnson jumped out of the 48-inch (122cm) vertical jump record, which has not been broken so far, which can also show how amazing his physical talent and athletic ability are. In the NBA, in addition to picking him and cutting him, Johnson also played for the Portland Trail Blazers. He made a total of 161 appearances in the NBA regular season, averaging 19.2 minutes per game, averaging 8.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks, and 1.3 turnovers and 2 fouls. He shot 37.9%, three-point shooting percentage 32.4%, and free throw shooting percentage 76.5%.

In the NBA regular season last season, Johnson made a total of 79 appearances, averaging 24.4 minutes per game, averaging 10.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1 steal and 0.4 blocks, and 1.5 turnovers and 2.6 fouls. He shot 38.9%, three-point shooting percentage 31.4%, and 77% free throw shooting percentage. Johnson actually got a lot of playing time and performance opportunities last season, and the team also hopes that he can realize his talent and potential as soon as possible. However, from the actual situation, Johnson's performance was a mess, his offensive efficiency was terrible, his stability outside the three-point line did not improve at all, and he still lacked sufficient defensive experience and defensive awareness on the defensive end. Johnson often plays a role in dragging the team down on the court, and he has not played his talents at all. Giving so much time has not made any progress, which also shows that Johnson may be completely helpless.

Last summer, the Nets offered Johnson a two-year contract totaling $4.51 million, with the second year of the contract being the team option. In fact, the Nets chose to execute the team option in Johnson's contract this summer to keep him on the team. However, the problem is that there are too many players in the Nets' lineup, and many of them are backcourt players with similar types and characteristics. Considering that Johnson's lottery has been scratched and scratched but nothing has been scratched out, and the Nets don't have much thought about salary space, it is actually understandable that they choose to cut him at this time. Of course, since the Nets themselves are not optimistic about Johnson's ability, why did they choose to execute his team option before? Is Johnson making $2.35 million in vain?