The Brooklyn Nets and Denver Nuggets have agreed to swap veteran forwards, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. Charania said that the Nets are sending Cam Johnson to the Nuggets for Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round draft pick.
NBA Grades: Swap Veteran Forwards
This Johnson-Porter trade is extremely interesting and appears to be a good fit for both teams. The Nets had been looking to unload Johnson since last offseason, as they have fully embraced a rebuild. On the other hand, the Nuggets’ decision to move on from Porter Jr. is a little more surprising, as it appeared he was part of their core three with Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić.
Here is a look at who won the Johnson and Porter Jr. trade. Also, what each player brings to their new teams and what is next.
Why Nuggets Traded For Cam Johnson
Denver has been seen as a contender in each of the past two years, following its surprising 2023 NBA title. However, in reality, the Nuggets haven’t been close despite having one of the best starting units in the game.
Denver finished fourth in the Western Conference this season with a 50-32 record. The Nuggets won a tough first-round series over the fifth-seed Los Angeles Clippers (4-3). They took the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in the conference semifinals, thanks in large part to Jokic.
Jokic registered a double-double in five of the seven games against OKC. Jokic scored 20 or more points six times, including two 40-point games. He finished the series with 28.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists.
Despite Jokic’s herculean efforts, the Thunder dominated the series. OKC won two of the games by 30 points and outscored Denver by nine points per game. OKC took advantage of their depth advantage — with the Thunder reserves outscoring the Nuggets by 10 points a game — and Aaron Gordon was the only other Nugget to have a good series.
Denver was outshot 45.1% to 41%, though neither team shot it well from deep. Turnovers were also a problem for the Nuggets, who connected on just 34.7% of their attempts from deep in the playoffs. The Nuggets ranked fifth in 3-point percentage during the regular season.
While no Nuggets player shot it particularly well from the 3-point line during the playoffs, Porter Jr. was the biggest culprit. Porter struggled through the playoffs, though he produced just 7.4 points and 5.6 rebounds with shooting splits of 32.2/25/83.3 against the Thunder. He also had a -3.9 plus/minus rating in the Western Conference semifinals and was -1.5 overall in the postseason.
What Cameron Johnson Brings To Denver
Johnson is a versatile two-way forward who excels at the little things while also possessing the capability to impact the game on both ends. The 29-year-old is a high-level 3-point marksman and finisher at the rim. He also does a good job of drawing fouls and finishing through contact.
Johnson, who can guard four positions, has improved as a passer and is a capable ballhandler. Johnson also has shown the ability to carry a team offensively when he gets hot. He is coming off a career year with the Nets, 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. In addition, he had the best shooting of his career with 2.8 threes and 47.5/39/89.3 shooting splits.
Johnson will replace Porter as the Nuggets’ starting small forward. He has two years and $43 million left on his deal. For his part, he told Michael Scotto of Hoopshype that he was excited about heading to Denver.
“I’m excited to compete for a championship,” Johnson said. “It’s a new beginning.”
What Is Next For Nuggets?
Denver didn’t have a 2025 draft pick. The Nuggets sent their 2025 first-round selection in their trade with Orlando for Aaron Gordon in 2021.
Besides trading for Johnson, Denver signed Bruce Brown to a one-year deal for the minimum. Brown returns to Denver, where he had his best season of his career in his lone season in the Mile High City in 2022-23.
Denver has 13 players on standard contracts. With Brown signing a minimum contract, it means the Nuggets are projected to be around $5 million below the luxury tax. The Nuggets’ most significant need is to replace Russell Westbrook as Murray’s understudy, though they are reportedly one of many teams linked to Guerschon Yabulese.
Besides adding one or two players, expect the Nuggets to carry 15 players to start the year. Denver needs to fill two of their two-way spots. Combo guard Tamar Bates signed a minor league deal with the Nuggets after he went undrafted out of Missouri.
Why The Nets Are Bringing in MPJ
Brooklyn appears to be searching for any offensive talent it can. The Nets drafted Egor Denim, Danny Wolf, Ben Saraf, Drake Powell, and Nolan Traore. All five have a specific skill that involves the offensive end. Powell may be the lone defensively oriented drafted player, though he averaged nearly a three-pointer a game and shot 38% from deep in his lone season at UNC.
Brooklyn averaged a league-low 105.1 points, tying the Washington Wizards, and was the third-worst in offensive efficiency. Johnson, Cam Thomas, and Dennis Schroder were the only Nets to average more than 15 points per game.
Thomas, a restricted free agent, is the only one of the trio who is likely to be on the team this season. Traore, Saraf, and Denim are all considered playmakers who can potentially develop into reliable scorers.
Comparatively, Brooklyn allowed the 12th fewest points in the league. However, the Nets were in the bottom third of the league in efficiency on that end. Their 41.3 rebounds were the second fewest, and they were outrebounded by nearly 2.5 boards per contest.
Porter is a gifted scorer who is an excellent 3-point shooter, though he is much more than a sharpshooter. The athletic 26-year-old demonstrated an increased interest in getting to the rim this past season, and he is an excellent finisher. While Porter is at his best off the catch, he excels in transition and is capable in the post.
Porter, two years younger than Johnson, is a defensive rebounder. He also has excellent physical traits and defensive instincts. However, MPJ is not great defensively. Like Johnson, Porter has two years left on his deal, though his pact is valued at $79 million or $36 million more than Johnson’s.
With another first-rounder in hand, Brooklyn has potentially 29 selections from 2026 and 2032. Fifteen of those draft choices project to be first-rounders.
What Is Next For The Nets?
Brooklyn projects to have 17 players on standard contracts for 2025-2026 once Thomas and their five rookies officially sign contracts. The Nets also agreed to two-year deals worth $12 million with Day’Ron Sharpe and Ziaire Williams last night. That puts the Nets’ projected cap hit at around $130 million, excluding Thomas.
The Nets are approximately $25 million below the salary cap, and they must reach $139.18 million by opening night. There should be no concern for the Nets to do that, as Thomas will likely get at least $15 million in a multi-year deal.
Brooklyn can easily get down to 15 players. Drew Timme and Tyrese Martin‘s contracts don’t fully guarantee until January 10, so unless the Nets make another trade, those two players are likely to be released. Tosan Evbuomwam is the only Nets player signed to a two-way deal.
Trade Grades For Each Team In Swap Of Veteran Forwards
I believe this trade benefits both teams. Both Johnson and Porter Jr. can be explosive offensively. The Nuggets get a cheaper and more versatile player in Johnson. Johnson figures to fit better with Jokic and Murray than Porter Jr. due to his ability to guard multiple positions and be a connector offensively. They didn’t lose anything offensively, though Johnson is not as good a rebounder as MPJ.
Meanwhile, Porter becomes the No. 1 offensive option for the Nets. He is a better scorer and rebounder than Johnson and could thrive with the increased usage that comes with the designation. However, he is not as versatile as Johnson, which shouldn’t be a problem given the way the Nets’ roster is currently constructed or the passer.
Brooklyn added salary in the trade, which was necessary due to their proximity to the league’s salary floor, and since both players have two seasons remaining on their current deal, it doesn’t alter the Nets’ rebuild. The first-round pick that the Nets received from the Nuggets is another valuable asset.
Nets Trade Grade: B+
Nuggets Trade Grade: A-
Photo Credit: © Daniel Kucin Jr., Imagn Images
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