It’s been a week since the Denver Nuggets traded Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cam Johnson. The pick was the cost of shedding MPJ’s hefty contract — but landing Johnson in the process made it all worth it.
On The Bill Simmons Podcast, Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo broke down why the deal was such a win for Denver.
Simmons didn’t hold back, calling it “one of the worst trades of the decade,” noting that Brooklyn got virtually nothing in return for Johnson. He emphasized the point that the first-rounder wasn’t even for Johnson himself — it was merely to get the Nets to take on Porter’s contract.
They even speculated the deal might’ve happened without Johnson included.
So… did the Nuggets fleece the Nets despite giving up a pick? It’s looking that way.
Reports say Brooklyn initially wanted two first-rounders for Johnson before the 2025 deadline — but Denver managed to get him for just one, and they also moved a player they were eager to unload for salary cap relief. In the 2025-26 season, Johnson will earn $17 million less than Porter.
Johnson Trade Is a Big-Time Win for Denver
Both Johnson and Porter are under contract through 2026-27. But Johnson will earn $21M in 2025-26 and $23M in 2026-27, while Porter is due $38.3M and $40M in those same seasons. You don’t need to be a cap wizard to see why this deal favors Denver financially.
But Johnson’s value doesn’t stop at the books. He’s one of the league’s top movement shooters, knocking down 39% from deep this past season on a career-high 7.2 attempts per game. He also averaged a career-best 18.8 points per game — and that was on a struggling Nets team.
Now imagine Johnson spacing the floor next to Nikola Jokic, who will find him open on the perimeter like it’s nothing. That first no-look dime to Johnson for a wide-open three at Ball Arena? Yeah… it’s gonna be a moment.
Sure, Denver probably shouldn’t have given MPJ that massive deal to begin with — but hey, they won a title in 2023 with him. And now? Fans are hoping Johnson helps bring in another chip by 2026.
The trade is already seen as a massive win. But if Johnson plays a role in another championship?
This move could go down as a masterstroke in Nuggets front office history.
