The Brooklyn Nets have reportedly struck a trade deal with the Denver Nuggets, exchanging Cam Johnson for Michael Porter Jr. and an additional first-round draft pick. This move sees Johnson return to the Western Conference, a region where he previously helped lead the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals in 2021. In contrast, Porter was instrumental in the Nuggetsโ title victory two years later.
The transaction includes the Nets acquiring Denverโs first-round pick for 2032. Details of the agreement were relayed by an anonymous insider, as no official announcements had been made at the time. This news initially surfaced through ESPN.
Johnson, who last season achieved a career-high average of 18.8 points across 57 games, was brought into the Netsโ roster as part of the trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Suns during the 2023 trade deadline. With the Nets undergoing a rebuild, there had been ongoing speculation that Johnson could be traded to a team in pursuit of championship aspirations.
Earlier, Brooklyn had also traded Mikal Bridges, a close associate of Johnson and fellow acquisition from the Durant deal, to the New York Knicks. That trade had already returned five first-round picks to the Nets.
Michael Porter Jr. heads to Brooklyn having averaged 18.2 points per game over 77 appearances last season, all of which were starts. However, his postseason performance was hindered by a shoulder injury acquired during the first round of the playoffs, contributing to Denverโs eventual playoff exit against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the semifinals.
Porter, initially the 14th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, began his professional career with certain challenges due to a back injury suffered during college at Missouri. This ailment caused him to miss his debut season, requiring surgery before his NBA journey could begin.
Over six NBA seasons, Porter has averaged 16.2 points and secured a five-year maximum contract extension with Denver in 2021. The move to Brooklyn could represent a new beginning for him, especially as he grapples with family issues. Notably, his younger siblings have faced significant legal adversities.
Jontay Porter previously faced a ban from the NBA following findings that he had violated league rules by sharing confidential information with sports bettors. In another unfortunate incident, Coban Porter received a prison sentence in April 2024 following a tragic incident that resulted in the death of a woman due to drunken driving.