​LAS VEGAS — Chaney Johnson, Brooklyn Nets forward, is entering his second NBA season and has already made it clear that his focus extends beyond simply earning minutes in the G League. While Brooklyn weighs how Egor Demin and Mikel Brown Jr. fare against NBA competition, Johnson is actively pursuing a role as the team’s premier two-way standout. After Saturday’s Las Vegas Summer League game, a 83-76 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, Johnson spoke about his confidence, faith, and approach to the tough task of proving himself at a higher level.
Johnson credited his faith as a driving force behind his readiness and resilience. “All glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He just fuels me with everything I need. I do get a bit nervous before games, but I spend time praying with my trainer and even praying on the bench,” he said. In that very game, he delivered a stat-line that suggested he was more than a scarecrow in the rotation: 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five steals in 32 minutes, all while handling the duties of a starting center despite being listed at 6-foot-7, 220 pounds. The performance, albeit in a loss, underscored his willingness to take on tasks that may not be perfectly aligned with his natural position.
The challenge of playing out of position has become a talking point for Nets coach Dutch Gaitley, who has acknowledged Johnson’s unusual fit for his size. Nevertheless, Gaitley has praised Johnson for adapting to what’s being asked of him and for excelling in that role. The coach’s confidence is rooted in Johnson’s relentless effort and his capacity to maximize the opportunities presented to him, even when they arise from unconventional matchups.
“He just kind of calms me and gives me everything I need to go out there and play hard,” Johnson said, describing how he channels confidence and focus on the floor. “My main goal is to be the hardest-playing player out there. I swing my hat on going out there and playing hard, and to control everything I can control.” Those sentiments reflect a player who is prioritizing effort, grit, and a disciplined mindset over chasing perfect fit or easy minutes.
The 24-year-old guard-forward’s track record from the previous season shows a dual-identity: competent contributor in limited NBA action but with a larger footprint in the G League. In 2025-26, Johnson averaged 8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 54.3 percent from the field and 30.0 percent from three-point range. His NBA opportunities were sporadic, as he appeared in only 17 games, with the bulk of his development occurring with Long Island, Brooklyn’s G League affiliate. There, his raw skill set and athletic attributes drew attention as indicators of potential that could translate to sustained production at the NBA level.
Johnson’s performance in Summer League is being watched closely because it could signal a broader capability to contribute as a versatile defender and playmaker who can impact both ends of the floor. The Nets are evaluating whether his size, strength, and tenacity can mesh with an evolving roster that prizes multi-positional defense and the ability to guard multiple schemes. His ability to log minutes and produce versatile lines—like the 20-10-5 outing in Vegas—helps to illustrate not just potential, but a tangible pathway to meaningful minutes on a regular-season roster.
Asked about the broader objective of his Summer League play, Johnson emphasized the importance of consistency and a team-first approach. He wants to prove he can be trusted to impact the game through hard-nosed defense, timely scoring, and active rebounding. He understands that being a two-way player is not merely about offense or defense in isolation, but about the ability to influence both sides of the court in a way that makes the team better as a whole.
As Johnson continues to develop, the Nets will weigh what he brings to the table in the context of the team’s wider goals for the season. His willingness to sacrifice conventional roles, his diligence in improving his efficiency and decision-making, and his demonstrated capacity to compete at a high level despite playing out of position all contribute to a narrative that he’s more than a fringe prospect—he’s a player who could mature into a reliable two-way presence. With each game in Summer League and every practice, Johnson is building a case for a more prominent role in Brooklyn’s rotation, one that leverages his energy, versatility, and faith-driven resilience to help the Nets contend in a challenging NBA landscape.