The Nuggets made a huge splash at the start of free agency on Monday night, trading away starting forward Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected first-round pick to the Nets for forward Cam Johnson, according to a league source.
Denver also reached an agreement to sign free agent Bruce Brown, a key member of its 2023 championship squad.
The moves radically change the team’s core and opens the Ben Tenzer-Jon Wallace era in the Mile High City with a bang. Here’s a look at how members of the national media are grading the trade:
ESPN’s Kevin Pelton (Nuggets: C, Nets: B)
“On paper, Johnson and Porter are two of the NBA’s most similar players. Both are combo forwards who debuted in 2019-20, shot over 39% from 3-point range and averaged just shy of 19 points per game last season. Porter is a better rebounder, and Johnson is the slightly superior playmaker.
“The key difference, of course, is that Porter will make $79 million over the two remaining seasons of a max rookie extension he signed before a back injury cost him nearly the entire 2021-22 season and slowed his development. Porter returned as a key contributor for the 2023 Denver championship team but has never averaged as many points or shot as well from the floor as he did in 2020-21 at age 22.” Read more.
Fansided’s Zachary Rotman (Nuggets: A-, Nets: B)
“This deal makes a good amount of sense for both sides. The Nuggets offloaded a really rough contract in Porter and replaced him with a cheaper and better player. For Brooklyn, they acquired a first-round pick that can prove to be quite valuable down the road, especially if Nikola Jokic is no longer around by 2032, but while the deal makes sense for both sides, it feels like there’s still one clear winner.
“Porter might be the bigger name in this deal, but there’s no disputing who the better player is. Johnson provides a lot more value on both ends, and will do so while making significantly less money.” Read more.
SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell (Nuggets: B+, Nets: A)
“I’m in favor of the Nuggets using the pick as a trade chip. Jokic will be 37 years old in 2032 and at the very end of his career, if he’s even still playing. The Nuggets’ championship window is right now with Jokic in his prime, and they owe it to a generational superstar to go all-in on trying to get another championship. For as great as the Thunder were in the regular season, they looked shaky in the playoffs. Denver pushed them to the brink even with some bad luck, and they’re better now.
“Could Denver have gotten a better player than Johnson by dangling its unprotected 2032 pick? That’s my only real hang-up here. This feels like the Nuggets’ big swing for the foreseeable future, which means it has to be the one to put them over the top. I like it, but would love to know what else was out there.” Read more.
The Sporting News’ Gilbert McGregor (Nuggets: A-, Nets: B)
“This is masterful work from Denver’s front office.
“The best way to complement Jokic is by surrounding him with cerebral talents, and Johnson fits that bill to a T. While there may not have been many eyes on him last season in Brooklyn, Johnson averaged a career-best 18.8 points per game while shooting 39.0 percent from 3-point range.
“Playing next to Jokic, Johnson will seemingly get countless catch-and-shoot opportunities and will also benefit greatly from being a high-IQ player.” Read more.
USA Today’s Lorenzo Reyes (Cam Johnson: A, Nuggets: A-, Nets: C+, Michael Porter Jr.: D):
“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.” Read more.
Yahoo Sports’ Morten Stig Jensen (Nuggets: B, Nets: A)
“Relinquishing a 2032 first-round pick, unprotected no less, to shed Michael Porter Jr is expensive, maybe too expensive.
“But getting Cam Johnson in there is not only an awesome fit, he’s also on a far more manageable contract ($21 million compared to Porter Jr’s $38.3 million), which provides the Nuggets with far more flexibility.
“For the Nets, who are in no rush, they just got a potentially juicy future first for taking on more money, exactly as they should.” Read more.
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