DENVER – The Nuggets have weathered an injury storm in the top-heavy Western Conference. They sit third in the West with a 22–10 record. They have missed starters for most of the season. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray have driven that resilience. Jokic’s injury on Monday night against Miami changes the equation. The team will be without its MVP candidate for the next couple of weeks. As a result, the Cameron Johnson trade looks even smarter for the Nuggets.
Why The Nuggets’ Cameron Johnson Trade Looks Smarter With Jokic Out
Injuries Stretch Denver’s Rotation
The Nuggets have played without two starters for over a month. Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon have remained sidelined by injuries. Braun has missed action since mid-November. He suffered a left ankle sprain. Gordon followed a week later on the injury report. He sustained a Grade 2 right hamstring strain. The team hopes both return near the end of a brutal seven-game road trip. Johnson remains out until mid-January with a right knee injury. Denver will miss four starters for at least the next few games. Jokic’s absence has amplified every issue Denver has faced this season.
The Offseason Strategy Comes Into Focus
As Denver scrambles to redefine roles without its MVP, its offseason strategy stands out again. Over the summer, the Nuggets traded former lottery pick Michael Porter Jr. for Johnson. They aimed to improve roster flexibility. After pushing eventual champion Oklahoma City to seven games, the front office identified a need. The team needed better depth.
Financial Flexibility Creates Depth
Denver attached an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to sweeten the deal for Brooklyn . That move helped the Nuggets drop below the luxury tax. Porter Jr.’s $38 million salary became Johnson’s $20.5 million cap hit. The $17 million difference unlocked the $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception. That flexibility allowed Denver to build real depth. Jonas Valanciunas, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Bruce Brown arrived in Denver as a result. Those players now shoulder heavier responsibility. Injuries have forced Denver to lean on them more than expected.
Why Raw Numbers Miss the Point
Questions remain about whether this depth can salvage a brutal season. Some argue Brooklyn won the trade. Porter Jr. has thrived with the Nets. He averages nearly 26 points, over seven rebounds, and a career-high three assists. He shoots 41 percent on more than nine three-point attempts per game. Johnson’s numbers pale in comparison. He averages 11 points, a six-year low. He also adds nearly four rebounds and over two assists. Those raw numbers mislead. They ignore how Denver’s depth now sustains a contender under strain.
A Trade That Buys Survival
The Cameron Johnson trade gives Denver a fighting chance, which is why it looks even smarter in Jokic’s absence. It allows the Nuggets to absorb injuries without collapsing. What once looked like a lateral move now looks like survival planning. Under the current circumstances, that makes all the difference.