The Denver Nuggets believe they’ve found the right replacement for Michael Porter Jr. in newly acquired forward Cam Johnson.
Johnson was traded from the Brooklyn Nets earlier this month in a deal that sent Porter and a 2032 first-round pick the other way.
According to Spotrac’s Keith Smith, a Nuggets coach emphasized the team’s confidence in Johnson’s fit, citing his cutting ability as a key factor.
“When you move a core player, which is what Michael Porter Jr. was for us, you have to be sure you are getting back a really good player,” the coach said.
“Cam is going to fit in perfectly for us,” the coach added, noting that Johnson’s off-ball movement complements Denver’s ball-dominant playmakers.
Johnson, 28, averaged a career-best 18.8 points per game last season while shooting 39.0% from three and 89.3% at the line.
He also contributed 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per contest, starting all 57 games he played in for Brooklyn.
The Nuggets highlighted his ability to find space in motion offenses, particularly with Nikola Jokic facilitating from the post or high elbow.
“Because we’ve got passers all over, including the big guy (Jokic), Cam is going to get a bunch of layups too,” the coach told Smith.
Johnson brings postseason experience, having averaged 18.5 points in a four-game series with the Nets in 2023 while shooting 50.9% from the field.
His playoff résumé also includes deep runs with Phoenix, where he helped the Suns reach the NBA Finals in 2021.
Denver’s decision to part ways with Porter ends a five-season tenure that included a championship in 2023 and consistent scoring production.
Porter averaged 18.2 points and 7.0 rebounds last season while shooting 50.4% from the field and 39.5% from deep.
