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NBA insider says trading Cam Johnson for Michael Porter Jr. is a ‘home run’ for the Nuggets, it has two benefits
Credit: Scott Taetsch/AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images

The Denver Nuggets executed one of the summer’s most impactful trades by sending Michael Porter Jr. and a first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Cam Johnson.

The move addresses both financial flexibility and on-court improvements in one bold stroke. Bill Simmons praised the trade as brilliant, highlighting how Denver successfully freed up significant cap space.

Porter’s $38.3 million salary for next season compared to Johnson’s $20.5 million creates substantial breathing room for additional roster moves.

Zach Lowe explains why Johnson represents an upgrade over Porter

The financial benefits only tell part of the story. NBA Insider Zach Lowe believes the Nuggets actually upgraded their talent level while cutting costs, particularly in ball handling and defensive areas where Porter struggled.

Cam Johnson makes $17 million less per season over the same number of seasons as Michael Porter Jr. But I think he is going to be good, if not a little bit better, for the Nuggets than the occasionally banged up and defensively challenged Michael Porter Jr. was,” Lowe explained.

Lowe continued his assessment: “I talked about his ball handling upgrade over Michael Porter Jr. I think he’s a slightly meaningful defensive upgrade, all that. But if you are going to cut those costs, which they did, at least use the flexibility that you have opened up in a productive way.”

Statistical comparison reveals Johnson’s hidden advantages

The surface numbers between Porter and Johnson appear similar. Both averaged 18+ points per game last season while shooting around 39% from three-point range, suggesting comparable offensive production.

Porter holds the rebounding edge with 7.0 per game compared to Johnson’s 4.3. However, Johnson averaged more assists at 3.4 per game versus Porter’s 2.1, indicating better playmaking ability.

The deeper defensive metrics favor Johnson significantly. He averaged more steals, contested more shots, and challenged more attempts while having lower turnovers rate than Porter. These advanced stats support Lowe’s assessment about Johnson’s defensive superiority.

Statistics/per game Michael Porter Jr. Cam Johnson
Steals 0.6 0.9
Contested Shots 3.5 4.2
Defended FG Attempted 11.1 11.2
% Turnover Frequency 21.1 8.7

Jonas Valanciunas signing completes successful summer strategy

The Nuggets maximized their newfound cap flexibility by adding Jonas Valanciunas as Nikola Jokic’s backup, despite reports of the center wanting to move to Greece.

The signing, along with the addition of Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr., represents smart roster construction around their superstar.

“And in flipping Saric to Valanciunas, which is a $5 million addition to the payroll, they have done enough. I still think it’s a home run for the Nuggets overall in the summer and I do expect Valanciunas to play for the Nuggets,” Lowe concluded.

Next season will reveal whether this strategic approach can help Denver compete against defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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