Grade The Trade: Nuggets Swap Porter Jr. For Cam Johnson In Shocking Deal

The Denver Nuggets have moved Michael Porter Jr., after months of being involved in trade rumors. Porter Jr. averaged 18.2 points per game this season, nailing 39.5% from three in the regular season but those numbers dipped to 9.1 points per game on 34.3% from deep in the postseason.

The Nuggets must go all-in to surround Nikola Jokic with the right pieces to win an NBA championship, especially with a new head coach David Adelman coming on board. 

The Nuggets have decided to move Porter Jr and a first-round pick for Cam Johnson, a move that essentially swaps shooters but also involves some risk. Let's grade the trade to see who won and lost this deal.

Denver Nuggets: C+

The Denver Nuggets are taking a risk, losing 26-year-old Michael Porter Jr for 29-year-old Cam Johnson. This move signals Denver's willingness to pivot from potential to consistency, aiming for a floor-spacing 3‑and‑D wing with Johnson. 

Financially, the swap also lightens the long-term luxury-tax hit: Porter is owed around $79 million over the next two seasons, whereas Johnson comes in at roughly $44.4 million total.

The risk: Johnson lacks Porter’s ceiling and interior mismatch potential, and Denver gave up a future first-rounder. This deal tilts toward structural stability, but it's not without gamble, Denver fans will be watching to see if Johnson can replicate his efficiency in a championship chase.

Brooklyn Nets: B+

Brooklyn acquires Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 first-round pick, a move that aligns with their rebuild and asset collection strategy. Porter gives them a 6'10" forward who has shown heavy scoring upside, once part of Denver’s 2023 title run, and still has two years left on his deal. 

The added pick is valuable upside on a talented Nuggets team coming off major postseason disappointments. Nets coach and front office will hope that under a refreshed role in Brooklyn, Porter can return to 18-20 PPG form consistently.

That said, Porter’s dip in playoff production and concerns over his playoff mental makeup (compared to Murray or earlier playoff struggles) remain. But if Porter rediscovers his rhythm, the pick makes this an extremely high-upside haul for the Nets.

Michael Porter Jr: C+

Porter gets a fresh start as the primary offensive option in Brooklyn, shedding the pressure of dominating shots alongside Jokic and Murray. He retains two years on an expensive contract but now has a clearer path to showcase his scoring ability. 

Success hinges on him rediscovering his 18+ PPG production and translating it into postseason impact, something that evaded him in Denver. However, this move is also a signal: Denver gave up on Porter’s playoff development, which could weigh on his confidence. 

If he rebounds, it could validate the suitableness of the contract and justify Brooklyn’s gamble. But failure to progress further could anchor him as a well-paid "what-if" in Brooklyn’s timeline.

Bruce Brown: A

Though not part of the swap, Bruce Brown’s one-year deal with Denver adds immediate value. He’s a proven two-way wing who fits seamlessly into Adelman’s system, adding depth, playmaking, and championship experience. 

Brown is the unsung gear in this offseason’s engine, valued even higher in the wake of Porter’s departure. His deal may well be the anchor that stabilizes Denver amid a reshuffle.