Perhaps sensing the shifting balance of power in the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets swung a deal to keep pace.
Denver is sending forward Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 unprotected first-round draft pick to Brooklyn for Nets forward Cameron Johnson, a person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.
The person spoke under condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly disclose details of the deal prior to an official announcement.
Here are the grades from the trade between the Denver Nuggets and Brooklyn Nets.
Cameron Johnson
Once seen as a key piece in the deal that sent Kevin Durant from the Nets to the Suns, Johnson had been languishing away on a Nets team that was still not close to competing in earnest. Since being traded to Brooklyn, the Nets won 71 out of a possible 196 games (.362 winning percentage) — including a sweep in the first round of the 2023 playoffs.
Now, Johnson goes to a 50-win team that took the eventual NBA champions to seven games in the conference semifinals and one that is two years removed from a title. With Nikola Jokić’s superb passing ability, Johnson, 29, should thrive.
He’s excellent with the ball in his hands and in pick-and-roll scenarios. Throwing him into the mix with Jokić and point guard Jamal Murray should only lead to a jump in production.
Grade: A
Denver Nuggets
In many ways, this is an interesting trade; both Porter and Johnson have similar skill sets. Both are excellent perimeter shooters and both are decent defenders. Both are signed for two more seasons, through the 2026-27 season. The biggest difference? Johnson is two years older but significantly cheaper.
According to Spotrac.com, Porter carries a cap hit of $79.1 million over the next two seasons. Johnson’s cap hit over that span is $44.1 million, or a difference of around $35 million.
This, essentially, gives the Nuggets far more roster flexibility, and they reportedly have already started to use it. Per ESPN, Denver brought back Bruce Brown — a plus defender who excelled during Denver’s championship season — on a one-year deal.
This season, the Nuggets lacked depth. Now, it’s a strength.
Grade: A-
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets these days are all about draft picks. They like to stash them. They like to draft with them. Just days after they made all five of their first-round selections, the Nets are taking on the added salary of Porter because of that 2032 unprotected first.
Porter is a better rebounder than Johnson, hauling in 7.0 boards per game, as opposed to Johnson’s 4.3. He’s a slightly more efficient scorer, though Porter tends to fall into streaky play.
This is trickier to grade for Brooklyn, because it all depends on what the franchise does with its picks. If the Nets can turn this unprotected 2032 pick into part of a trade package that nets a star, then it’s a home run. If they hold on to it and it leads to a lottery selection in seven years, it could be a home run.
If not? It could prolong the rebuild.
Grade: C+
Michael Porter Jr.
For a player who was part of a championship run and on one of the more consistent teams during his tenure there, Porter is going into a very different environment. The Nets are very clearly rebuilding and their focus right now is on developing their young players. Porter just turned 27 on Sunday, June 29, so he’s also very young. Still, even with the Eastern Conference entirely open, it’s hard to see the Nets threatening with their current roster — at least in the short term.
Grade: D