Denver Trading Michael Porter Jr. To Nets For Cam Johnson

Michael Porter Jr. (Image: Nuggets)

The Denver Nuggets are trading Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for forward Cameron 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 season.

The trade is also the first big move by the Nuggets’ new front office of Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace. It frees the Nuggets from the luxury tax and expands their ability to utilize most of a $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception.

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 an NBA title with in 2023. Brown’s deal is for the veteran’s minimum.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Brown was popular in the Nuggets locker room and played a pivotal role on the championship role on the championship team. He does well alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, and Brown averaged 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game in 2022-23 with the Nuggets. Last season with the Toronto Raptors and the New Orleans Pelicans, 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 with the Nets.

“I’m excited!” Johnson told Andscape’s Marc J. Spears. “I get an opportunity to compete with some of the league’s best. What more can I ask for?”

Already a solid defender who can space the court, Johnson showed more ability to create shots for himself in Brooklyn this past season, adding a unique dynamic to his profile as a 3-and-D player.

He has struggled with injuries throughout his career, however, and has not exceeded 60 regular-season games since the 2021-22 campaign.

Porter had spent his entire six-year tenure with the Nuggets, averaging 18.2 points and seven rebounds in 77 games for the Nuggets this past season. Porter was a key player during the Nuggets’ title run, and he gives the Nets a career 40% 3-point shooter.

He ends his Nuggets tenure second in franchise history in made 3-pointers with 843, trailing only Murray.

James Van Wickler