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Why swapping MPJ for Cam Johnson is a big move for Nuggets (2:36)
Shams Charania and the "NBA Today" crew react to the Nuggets trading Michael Porter Jr. to the Nets for Cam Johnson. (2:36)
Ohm Youngmisuk
Ohm Youngmisuk
ESPN Staff Writer
- Ohm Youngmisuk has covered the Giants, Jets and the NFL since 2006. Prior to that, he covered the Nets, Knicks and the NBA for nearly a decade. He joined ESPNNewYork.com after working at the New York Daily News for almost 12 years and is a graduate of Michigan State University.
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Jun 30, 2025, 07:21 PM ET
The Denver Nuggets are trading Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for forward Cam Johnson, sources told ESPN.
While both players have two years remaining on their contracts, the Nuggets are able to get off Porter's contract -- which has $38.3 million due this coming season and $40.8 million in 2026-27. Johnson will make $21 million this coming season and $23 million the following year.
The trade gets Denver from out under the luxury tax and opens up their ability to use most of a $14.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception.
The trade also is the first big move by Denver's new front office of Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace. The Nuggets followed the move by bringing back free agent Bruce Brown, who agreed to a one-year deal with the team that he helped win a title with in 2023.
Brown is a player who was popular in the locker room and played a pivotal role on the championship team. He fits well alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray and averaged 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game in 2022-23 with the Nuggets. Last season in Toronto and New Orleans, Brown averaged 8.3 points and 4.0 rebounds.
Johnson also appears to be a good fit for the Nuggets. The 6-foot-8 forward enjoyed a breakout season in his sixth year in the league, averaging 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 39% shooting from behind the arc.
Already a solid defender who can space the court, Johnson showed more ability to create shots for himself in Brooklyn this season - adding a unique dynamic to his profile as a 3-and-D player.
He's has struggled with injuries throughout his career, however, and has not exceeded 60 regular season games since the 2021-22 season.
Porter Jr. has spent his entire six-year career with Nuggets, averaging 18.2 points and seven rebounds in 77 games for Denver last season. He also was a key piece in the Nuggets' title run and gives the Nets a career 40% 3-point shooter.
It's been a hectic last few months for the Nuggets, who fired head coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth with three games remaining in the regular season to give the team a spark and try to maximize the remainder of the season around Jokic.
David Adelman took over as coach and helped lead the Nuggets to the second round where they lost in seven games to eventual world champion Oklahoma City. Adelman was elevated to head coach after the season.
