As the NBA playoffs loom, the Denver Nuggets’ controversial summer trade for Cam Johnson is finally paying dividends—while the player they sent away, Michael Porter Jr., has become exactly what critics feared: a high-priced benchwarmer on a tanking team.
Denver has a well-documented track record of cheaping out. In recent years, front-office decisions have often appeared more focused on shielding ownership from luxury-tax pain than on constructing the absolute best roster around Nikola Jokić. Last summer’s deal—shipping out longtime forward Michael Porter Jr. plus a first-round pick in exchange for Cam Johnson and significant financial relief—looked like more of the same fiscal conservatism.
The early returns only reinforced the skepticism. Johnson arrived in Denver and delivered little beyond reliable spot-up shooting. His defense was inconsistent at best, his playmaking was virtually nonexistent, and the Nuggets frequently performed better with him on the bench. Multiple injury absences further dimmed his impact. Meanwhile, across the country in Brooklyn, Porter Jr. was putting on a show.
Porter was balling as the clear No. 1 option for the otherwise moribund Nets. He attacked the glass with authority, poured in points, and even showed glimpses of defensive hustle. Averaging 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and three assists per game, he came agonizingly close to an All-Star nod. Had those numbers come on a contending team, he almost certainly would have made it. To Nuggets fans, it felt like Denver had surrendered a first-round pick and a productive scorer only to receive a demonstrably worse player in return. The sting was real.
Yet trades are rarely judged after a few months, and the full story is only now coming into focus. One of the biggest risks of retaining Porter Jr. has materialized: injury. While the exact severity remains unclear—especially given the tanking Nets’ incentive to limit his minutes—he appeared in just 52 games this season. Johnson, for his part, has missed time as well (53 games played and counting), but he is healthy at the precise moment it matters most. And he has been lights-out from deep, converting 42.9 percent of his three-pointers. In Denver’s system, he has settled into the role of a perfectly capable catch-and-shoot forward who complements Jokić beautifully.
What cannot be overlooked is the broader value unlocked by the financial flexibility. Moving off Porter Jr.’s contract did save ownership tax dollars, but it also carved out precious room beneath the tax aprons. That breathing space allowed the Nuggets to add meaningful role players who have quietly strengthened the roster. Jonas Valančiūnas has proven a far more capable backup center than Denver has employed in recent seasons. Tim Hardaway Jr. has been remarkably durable, appearing in nearly every game while shooting 40.9 percent from three on high volume.
Looking ahead, the savings could have even longer-term benefits. The financial cushion may embolden the Nuggets to retain breakout forward Peyton Watson this summer—even if it means stepping into the tax—rather than letting him walk in free agency. Johnson’s deal is $17 million lighter than Porter Jr.’s next season; that differential could ultimately make Denver a more complete team moving forward.
The verdict is not yet final, of course. If Johnson translates his late-season momentum into meaningful playoff contributions, the Nuggets will have won the deal outright. If he falters, or if Denver once again prioritizes thrift over talent and allows Watson to depart, the organization’s decision-making will face renewed scrutiny.
For now, however—with Porter Jr. sidelined for the season and Johnson delivering timely production—the Nuggets are winning this trade. For now.