After an unusually slow start to the 2025 NBA free agency period, a blockbuster trade was announced involving teams from each conference. According to reports, the Denver Nuggets are sending Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected pick in 2032 to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cam Johnson. The move shakes up Denver’s core, which is still left over from their 2023 championship, and should give them a better chance to compete in the mighty Western Conference for the next couple of seasons.
Nuggets Shake Up Core By Trading Michael Porter Jr. For Cam Johnson
Here are three reasons why the Nuggets made the trade, and why they may have just extended their championship window:
1. Porter’s Postseason Struggles Were A Concern
Michael Porter Jr. was a solid postseason contributor for the Nuggets early on in his career. In the 54 playoff games that he appeared in between 2020 and 2024, the small forward averaged 14.3 points per game on 38.6% shooting from deep, and was a key piece for the team in their championship season.
But things have changed since the start of Denver’s second round series in 2024. In 21 playoff games since that point, Porter Jr. is scoring just 9.7 points per, and his three point percentage has dropped to 33.6%. He was particularly poor in the 2025 Western Conference semi-finals against the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder as his scoring average dipped down to 7.4 per game, and he scored more than 10 points in just one of the seven games in the series.
If the Nuggets are hoping to advance further in the postseason in the coming years, they need go-to players that can be more reliable than what they had.
2. Cam Johnson Should Fit Perfectly With Jokic
One of Cam Johnson’s most attractive traits is his ability to move without the basketball, which will come in handy in Denver. The Nuggets’ offense of course revolves around Nikola Jokic, who has the ability to make the players around him better simply by playing his game. The guys who succeed the most around the MVP center are those who can make plays on the court without having the ball in their hands.
Porter Jr certainly fit that mold, and shot a solid 41.8% from three point range on catch and shoot opportunities during the 2024-25 regular season. Johnson isn’t much of a drop-off from that number, as he shot 40.3% in similar situations. But as explained in the next section, he’ll be doing so at a more affordable price.
3. Nuggets Save Money, Opening The Door For Other Acquisitions
One of the issues that plagued the Nuggets during their recent playoff run was a lack of depth. They didn’t have a whole lot of wiggle room, either, as essentially their entire core is making big money, hampering their ability to spend in order to build out their bench. Swapping Porter Jr. for Johnson saves Denver roughly $35 million over the next two seasons, giving them the flexibility to add more talent.
They didn’t waste much time in that respect. Within minutes of the trade being announced, it was revealed that the team would be bringing back Bruce Brown Jr., who was a key piece for the team before he left following the 2023 championship.
