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Nuggets' Cam Johnson Could Emerge as Prime Trade Candidate
Mar 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson (23) against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Nuggets' Cam Johnson Could Emerge as Prime Trade Candidate

Originally posted on Denver Nuggets on SI  |  By Jared Koch  |  Last updated Apr 3, 2026 2:16 PM ET

After being onboard with the Denver Nuggets for just one season following a trade from the Brooklyn Nets last offseason, there's a chance that Cam Johnson could be on the move once again this summer, depending on how the Nuggets' offseason dominoes end up falling.

The initial trade speculation around Johnson stems from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, who recently linked Johnson as a name to watch on a trade market headed into this coming offseason, largely because of the pending restricted free agent status of Peyton Watson.

"Peyton Watson is going to be one of the top restricted free agents: a young guy who's really burst onto the scene, having a career year. I've had plenty of conversations with Denver throughout the year. They want to keep this guy," Scotto reported. "Now, with that said, how does that affect Cam Johnson?"

"For Denver, they're going to have to worry about looking at these extensions––you've got [Nikola] Jokic, you've got Murray, you've got Aaron Gordon. You've got to fit these guys under the apron. They're going to be pretty close to the second apron. The way that they stay below that and ensure more flexibility for the roster is potentially looking at the market and seeing if there's a fit with a Cam Johnson trade."

Could Nuggets Trade Cam Johnson This Offseason?

It's been a brief time in Denver for Johnson, but the logic says that financial implications could cut his stay short after just one season of play.

Johnson's year has been through a fair share of ups and downs leading into the postseason, playing in 51 total games to average 11.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while shooting 47.0% from the field and 42.4% from three.

He's slowly begun to get comfortable in the Nuggets' rotation as the year has progressed, but despite that budding chemistry finally coming to form, the business of the NBA could ultimately be what forces him onto the trade block once free agency gets closer.

Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

Watson, who's hitting restricted free agency after a career-best season, will be a priority for the Nuggets to retain on a long-term deal, which they'll have the capability of doing considering they'll have the rights to match any offer sheet that comes his way.

But when factoring in the big payday Watson is slated to get, his numbers will put a real strain on the Nuggets' total cap next to the hefty contracts of Jokic, Murray, and Gordon. Christian Braun also got his $125 million extension before the start of the 2025-26 season, that adds even more money to account for.

Johnson then becomes the clear odd man out for the Nuggets if the front office wants to save cap with his expiring $23 million salary set for next season, and could be an easy trade target for teams around the league looking for a strong shooter in the frontcourt on a short-term deal.

Of course, there's a long way to go before the offseason arrives, and those trade discussions become a bit more tangible. But for as long as the Nuggets want to retain Watson on a big-time extension, it might just put Johnson's own future in the Mile High in some real jeopardy.


This article first appeared on Denver Nuggets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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