In a surprising beginning to the 2025 NBA offseason, the Denver Nuggets are sending forward Michael Porter and a first-round draft pick in 2032 unprotected to the Brooklyn Nets for forward Cameron Johnson, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. 

The deal is a drastic change for both teams as they seek to retool their rosters for this season as well as in the long term.

 

Denver Nuggets Trade

The Denver Nuggets, off a 2024-25 season that saw them post a 50-32 record but lose in the Western Conference Semifinals, are embarking on a risky franchise overhaul based around their star center, Nikola Jokic. With the addition of Cameron Johnson, Denver gets an all-around, two-way wing who contributes defensive grit and consistent three-point scoring. The trade also eliminates Porter's ginormous contract, which has a $38.3 million cap hit for 2025-26 and $40.8 million for 2026-27, freeing up money as the Nuggets struggle with a dropping salary cap.

Johnson, 28, is a natural fit with Jokic and Jamal Murray. His floor space, multi-position defense, and transition scoring provide the wing that Denver lacks, something their playoff defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder showed. The Nuggets also give up an unprotected 2032 first-round draft pick, a costly amount but one that shows just how desperate they are to make the most of Jokic's peak years.

 

Cameron Johnson Stats

Cameron Johnson, in his seventh season in the NBA, is becoming one of the best 3-and-D small forwards in the league. During the 2024-25 season with the Nets, Johnson posted 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game on 47.5% overall and 39.0% from outside of 3-point distance. His 56.5% career eFG% is proof of his shooting efficiency, and his 89.3% free-throw rate is just another tool in his scoring toolkit. Defensively, Johnson's 0.9 steals and 0.4 blocks per game alongside his 6'8\\" stature are the makings of a player who can guard wings and smaller centers.

Cameron Johnson 2024-25 Brooklyn Nets Stats:

  • Games: 57
  • Minutes: 31.6
  • Points: 18.8
  • Rebounds: 4.3
  • Assists: 3.4
  • Steals: 0.9
  • Blocks: 0.4
  • FG%: 47.5%
  • 3P%: 39.0%
  • FT%: 89.3%

Johnson's postseason experience with the Phoenix Suns, having made it to the 2021 NBA Finals, brings veteran poise to a Nuggets roster looking to return to the championship fold.

 

Brooklyn Nets Trade

For the Brooklyn Nets, the Michael Porter trade is a bet on upside. The Nets, under head coach Jordi Fernandez, are looking to ride Porter's shooting ability and age (he will be 27 on June 29, 2025) as the pillars of their offense. The inclusion of an unprotected 2032 first-round draft pick makes the deal more palatable, providing Brooklyn with a quality asset to use in the future for other trades or as draft currency as they continue to build a young core.

Porter's fit in Brooklyn is fascinating. With Cam Thomas likely to be re-signed as a restricted free agent, Porter would be a dynamic second option, using his 6'10" frame and championship-caliber shooting to spread the defense out. Despite that, his health history—most notably three back surgeries since college—is a concern, and the Nets would need to be extremely careful in how they manage his body to attempt to get the best out of him.

 

Michael Porter Stats

Denver's 2018 14th pick Michael Porter has provided glimpses of greatness in good health. In 2024-25, he scored an average of 18.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 50.4% from the field and 39.5% from beyond three. His career 59.6% eFG% indicates his scoring effectiveness, especially as a spot-up and cutter with Jokic. But Porter's postseason performance, particularly a 32.2% field-goal clip in the 2025 playoffs, cast some doubt on whether Porter could be trusted in clutch moments.

Michael Porter 2024-25 Denver Nuggets Stats:

  • Games: 77
  • Minutes: 33.7
  • Points: 18.2
  • Rebounds: 7.0
  • Assists: 2.1
  • Steals: 0.6
  • Blocks: 0.5
  • FG%: 50.4%
  • 3P%: 39.5%
  • FT%: 76.8%

While a talented scorer, Porter's defense and rising salary made him a divisive presence in Denver, leading to this trade.

 

What's Next for Both Teams?

For the Nuggets, acquiring Cameron Johnson is a move toward a more balanced team. His defensive flexibility and space-shooting range can make Denver Western Conference contenders once again. The loss of Porter hurts, but the cap relief and Johnson's two-way skill mesh with new head coach David Adelman's vision of a more dynamic, defense-oriented team.

For Brooklyn, this deal is a gamble of high risk, high reward. Porter's shooting acquires Brooklyn a cornerstone in the making, but his injury history and defense will challenge Fernandez's player development skills. The 2032 first-rounder is long-term wiggle room in line with Brooklyn's rebuilding model of stockpiling draft capital while building a young core with recent draft picks such as Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, and Ben Saraf.

The move sets the tone for a thrilling 2025-26 season, with both teams betting on their new recruits to reshape their futures.

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