Nuggets trade away Michael Porter Jr. in shock deal

The Denver Nuggets are trading away one of their mainstays.

Denver is sending veteran forward Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets in a trade, Shams Charania of ESPN reported Monday. The Nuggets are sending an unprotected first-round pick in 2032 to the Nets and are receiving veteran forward Cameron Johnson in return.

The move, which largely materialized out of nowhere, ends Porter’s tenure in Denver after seven years. Porter had been a pillar starter for the Nuggets for much of that span, averaging 16.2 points per game overall and helping them win the NBA championship in 2023.

But Johnson, who made it to the NBA Finals himself with the Phoenix Suns in 2021, is a definite upgrade over Porter. While he is just 6-foot-8 to Porter’s 6-foot-10 and is also 29 years old to Porter’s 27, Johnson has the more complete skillset. Johnson averaged 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game for the Nets last season. He is a comparable three-point shooter to Porter at 39.2 percent for his career and is a far better defender as well.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets did manage to soften the blow for their fans with regard to Porter’s departure. Shortly after announcing the Porter trade, Charania reported that Denver had reunited with forward Bruce Brown in free agency. Brown, who was also an important member of the 2023 Nuggets title team, is returning on a one-year deal.

After losing in the second round of the playoffs this season, Denver is now reloading with 3-and-D wings in the form of Johnson and Brown. Though it recently looked like Porter might be safe from trade for an unusual reason, the Nuggets got their opportunity to move off the two years and $79 million still owed to Porter, and they took it.