Nikola Jokic may soon have a new teammate for next season, as Cam Johnson is reportedly close to joining the Denver Nuggets in a trade that would send away the team’s third-leading scorer from last season.
According to Shams Charania, the Nuggets are sending Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Johnson and an unprotected first-round pick. The deal is expected to bring some changes to the way the franchise operates moving forward.
“The Denver Nuggets are trading Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Cam Johnson, sources tell ESPN,” Charania reported on X.
What Can Johnson Bring to the Nuggets?
Last season was particularly strong for Cameron Johnson with the Nets, as he averaged 18.8 points per game – his highest mark in six years as an NBA professional. This scoring output is quite similar to what Michael Porter Jr. averaged last season, at 18.2 points per game.
SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 4: Cameron Johnson #2 of the Brooklyn Nets goes to the basket on the San Antonio Spurs in the first half at Frost Bank Center on March 4, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
By making this trade, the Nuggets are saving just over $15 million in salary. Porter Jr. was slated to earn an average annual salary of $38 million for the upcoming 2025-26 season, whereas Johnson will collect $24 million next season and $27 million for 2026-27.
Next Step for the Nuggets
Now with a bit more cap space thanks to the recent trade with the Nets, the Nuggets could have room to bring in another player via free agency. They now possess the full Mid-Level Exception (MLE), also a result of recently signing Bruce Brown to a veteran minimum deal.
