The Denver Nuggets have kicked off their free agency approach with a bang, making a move to trade away an integral roster piece in Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cam Johnson. The full trade package saw the Nuggets move their starting forward, along with the 2032 first-round pick, to acquire the Nets’ veteran.
The move itself has major implications for the Nuggets’ approach for the next season. Michael Porter Jr. was widely regarded as one of the best shooting forwards in the league.
Last season, Porter Jr. recorded an average of 18.2 points and 7.0 rebounds on shooting splits of 50.4% from the field and 39.5% from three-point range. These are respectable figures for the most part, justifying the sizeable five-year, $179 million deal he had signed with the team.
Unfortunately, the forward’s shortcomings in defense and his poor output in crucial stages of the playoffs may have been his undoing. This had seen the forward mentioned in several trade rumors, potentially marking an end to his time with the franchise. While also factoring in his $38 million cap hit for this season and Denver’s need to shed salary, the Nuggets’ decision to trade a core player seems justified.
In return, the Nuggets have acquired an incredibly reliable wing player in Cam Johnson from the Nets, who has garnered a fair bit of attention in rumors this offseason. Last season, Johnson recorded an average of 18.8 points and 4.3 rebounds on 47.5% shooting from the field and 39.0% shooting from beyond the arc.
Apart from his consistency on the offensive front, the 29-year-old is a significantly better defensive player. Replacing Porter Jr. becomes less of a challenge only because of this factor.
Johnson is on a significantly more team-friendly contract, especially when compared with Porter Jr. The forward’s cap hit of $21 million gives the Nuggets a lot of flexibility with building their roster moving forward.
However, Denver’s offseason moves are far from being over by the looks of it. After completing the trade for Johnson, the Nuggets have also reportedly signed a former champion in Bruce Brown on a one-year deal.
As their roster construction efforts continue, the Nuggets seem to be creating a team to contend for a title next season. With free agency now in full swing, more teams appear to be getting in on the action, reinvigorating their efforts towards building a stronger team.
