The acquisition of Cameron Johnson has been the centerpiece of the Nuggets’ offseason. Offloading Michael Porter Jr.’s massive contract for the more affordable Johnson not only potentially upgraded the roster but also freed up the flexibility necessary to build out the depth the Nuggets so desperately needed for another title run. All for the cost of just one additional first-round pick. But is the sharpshooter from Brooklyn truly an upgrade over the longtime Nuggets veteran? Let’s break down the Cam Johnson trade and see if the offseason excitement among Denver fans is truly justified.
Is Cam Johnson the Answer Denver has Been Waiting For?
After years of hoping Porter Jr. would grow into a dependable third star alongside Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, a journey unfortunately and repeatedly derailed by injuries, the organization made a difficult but necessary decision to move on from Porter Jr. in order to maximize their championship window. In the end, parting ways was likely the best outcome for both sides, allowing MPJ to be remembered as a key contributor to the most successful era in Nuggets history. And while he could be a frustrating player to watch at times, his rare combination of size and shooting ability made him one of the most uniquely gifted talents in the league. It’s far from certain that Johnson will be able to replicate — or even surpass — what Porter Jr. brought to the Nuggets for years.
Similar Skills, Different Styles
At first glance, the two wings appear similar — sharpshooting forwards with impressive size who can stretch the floor. But a deeper look reveals meaningful differences in how they generate offense and influence the game.
Porter Jr. relies on his near seven-foot frame to get off tough shots, consistently thriving on contested jumpers and using his high release point to shoot over most defenders. That skill became especially valuable when opposing defenses shaded toward Jokic without fully committing to a double team. That slight opening of space was more than enough for MPJ to rise up and get a clean shot off.
His offensive game wasn’t built around attacking off the dribble. Instead, he generated looks through off-ball movement and by exploiting his size advantage over most perimeter defenders.
At his peak, Porter Jr. aesthetically somewhat resembled a Kevin Durant-lite version, particularly with his effective pull-up threes in transition from the top of the key. He had also begun developing a surprisingly effective post game against smaller defenders—a promising wrinkle that, unfortunately, faded over time due to recurring injuries.
However, his limited ball-handling—and by extension, his lack of on-ball creation—made his game too one-dimensional and predictable, a weakness that elite defenses consistently exploited, especially in the latter stages of the playoffs.
Johnson. while possessing good size, lacks MPJ’s freakish height and can’t shoot as effortlessly over most perimeter defenders. He’s become a competent creator off the dribble—a part of his game that he was forced to develop after taking on a larger offensive role in Brooklyn. It allows him to fill the role of secondary playmaker from the perimeter, which the Nuggets’ starting lineup desperately needs.
How Smoothly will Cam Johnson Adapt to his Role in Denver?
A common concern with players coming from losing teams is whether their production will translate when they play for a contender. Johnson, fortunately, doesn’t raise many red flags here.
Despite Brooklyn’s underwhelming win total, rookie head coach Jordi Fernandez, also a former Nuggets assistant, coached the team well. The Nets ran a well-structured offense and played disciplined defense, executing several intriguing in-game adjustments competently. Johnson didn’t dominate possessions or jack up every shot he wanted to inflate his box score numbers. Instead, he played effectively alongside guards like Dennis Schröder, Cam Thomas, and later D’Angelo Russell, embracing his role as a secondary offensive option. His likely role in Denver won’t differ dramatically, allowing for a smooth transition to life in Denver.
The Defensive Trade-Off
On paper, Johnson is the superior defensive player. His agility makes him a better on-ball defender than MPJ, and he commits fewer mental errors—a valuable trait especially in playoff environments that ruthlessly punish such lapses.
However, Denver’s defensive scheme complicates this analysis. With Jokic potentially being the league’s worst rim-protecting big man, the Nuggets often position him higher up in pick-and-roll coverage. This strategy forces the weak-side defender to rotate down, protect the paint, and secure rebounds—a role MPJ excelled at, thanks to his exceptional size, which allowed him to grab boards against most centers.
Johnson lacks that size and wingspan that made MPJ effective in Denver’s unique defensive system. However, during the playoffs, the Nuggets experimented more with a zone, and traditional coverages—particularly in their series against the Thunder. If head coach David Adelman continues tweaking the defensive system, then having a more traditionally effective defender like Johnson would be advantageous.
It’s also worth noting that MPJ’s defensive impact was declining. As he lost a step due to his numerous injuries, opponents exposed his weaknesses more frequently. Johnson, while not a lockdown stopper, offers more stability and fewer liabilities on that end.
Verdict: A Smart, Forward-Thinking Move
Losing MPJ stung emotionally—he was a “homegrown” talent with flashes of brilliance. But from both financial and basketball perspectives, the trade for Johnson makes sense.
Johnson offers more consistency and greater versatility, all at a more manageable salary that allowed for improvements in other areas of the roster. He may not match MPJ’s sheer talent on paper, but the Nuggets are no longer in a position where they can wait for Portet Jr. to reach his potential. Of course, anything can happen, and the move could backfire, but the evidence from Johnson’s stint in Brooklyn makes this an unlikely scenario. The more probable outcome is that he will go down as one of the best acquisitions this summer.
Photo credit: © Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
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