Nuggets trade Porter Jr. for Johnson, gain financial flexibility, and re-sign Bruce Brown. Team upheaval under new management.
The Denver Nuggets have stunned the NBA with a surprising trade. The former champion is sending Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected first-round pick in 2032 to the Brooklyn Nets. In return, they receive sharpshooter Cam Johnson.
Both players have two years left on their contracts, but the Nuggets can get out of Porter’s contract, which pays $38.3 million next season and $40.8 million in the 2026-27 season. Johnson will earn $21 million next season and “only” $23 million the following year.
Nuggets save money and avoid NBA luxury tax
Through this trade, the Nuggets avoid the luxury tax and can even spend an additional $14.1 million on a free agent. This is the first major step of the Nuggets’ new front office under the direction of Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace.
Immediately after the trade, the Nuggets brought back free agent Bruce Brown, who won the title with the team in 2023. Brown was a popular player in the locker room and played a crucial role on the championship team.
He fits well with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, averaging 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game for the Nuggets in the 2022-23 season. Last season with Toronto and New Orleans, Brown averaged 8.3 points and 4.0 rebounds.
Cam Johnson is coming off his best NBA season
Johnson also seems to be a good fit for the Nuggets. The 6-foot-8 forward had a breakout season in his sixth year in the league, averaging 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and shooting 39 percent from three-point range.
Already a solid defender, Johnson also showed the ability to create his own shots this season in Brooklyn – a special dynamic in his profile as a 3-and-D player. However, he has struggled with injuries throughout his career and has not played more than 60 regular season games since the 2021-22 season.
Michael Porter Jr.: A new start in Brooklyn
Porter Jr. spent his entire six-year career with the Nuggets, averaging 18.2 points and seven rebounds in 77 games for Denver last season.
He was also an important part of the Nuggets’ title win and offers the Nets a player with a similarly good three-point percentage (40 percent). The Nets have more than enough salary cap space to take on MPJ’s deal.