Denver trades Michael Porter Jr. to the Nets in exchange for Cam Johnson

Sources told ESPN that the Denver Nuggets are trading Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round draft pick to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for forward Cameron Johnson.

While both players have two years left in contracts, the Nuggets were able to get rid of Porter's contract, which expires next season for $38.3 million and $40.8 million in the 2026-27 season. Johnson will make $21 million next season and $23 million for the following season.

The deal is also the first major move by Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace, the new Denver front desk. It freed Denver from the shackles of luxury taxes and allowed it to use most of the $14.1 million non-taxpayer intermediate exception. The

Nuggets then brought back free agent Bruce Brown, who agreed to sign a one-year contract with the team he helped win the NBA championship in 2023.

Brown was popular in the Denver locker room and played a key role in the championship team. He worked well with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, with Brown averaging 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game for the Nuggets in 2022-23. Last season with the Toronto Raptors and the New Orleans Pelicans, Brown averaged 8.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.

Johnson seems to be very suitable for the Nuggets, too. The 6-foot-8 forward had a breakthrough season in his sixth season into the league, averaging 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 39% off-line shooting percentage with the Nets.