After a tragic first-round defeat, the Denver Nuggets are in flux. The front office is struggling to decide if the roster they have is strong enough to contend next season or if they need to shake it up. The latter, of course, would also result in the team parting ways with key players. One such player who has been the subject of constant trade rumors is Cameron Johnson.
Why Is Cam Johnson in Trade Talks?
The Nuggets brought in Johnson in a trade with the Nets last summer. In exchange, Denver sent over Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 unprotected first. Porter Jr. had become a fan favorite on the Nuggets, as his shooting and length played a major role in their championship run. However, his defensive woes eventually became too much to bear.
The year prior, Johnson averaged 18.8 points per game to Porter Jr.’s 18.2. Additionally, Johnson was widely considered to be a solid perimeter defender. Denver expected to acquire a player capable of matching Porter Jr.’s offensive output while also being a dependable defensive contributor. This train of thought is how the Nuggets justified adding in a first-rounder. Unfortunately, Johnson by no means met those standards.
Johnson missed time, playing in only 54 of Denver’s 82 games. He averaged only 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.7 steals per game. For perspective, the only seasons in which he averaged less in those statistics were his first two with the Suns, in which he started nine and 11 games, respectively. He started in all 54 games that he played for the Nuggets.
In Denver’s playoff series against the Timberwolves, when the lights were the brightest, Johnson gave mixed results. He had his moments, dropping 27 in Game 6 on 5-for-10 from three. However, he also failed to score more than 14 points in any of the first four games.
Some may wonder if, while his offense faltered, his defense made a difference. In truth, Johnson struggled there as well. Both his defensive win shares and defensive rating were worse than the year prior despite being on a vastly superior team.
What’s the Rush to Trade Cam Johnson?
Nikola Jokic‘s championship window will not stay open forever. Some fear it is already shut. Jokic is already 31 years old, while Aaron Gordon is 30 and Jamal Murray is 29. Whether or not those two could be on the move is a whole new can of worms. Nevertheless, the truth remains the same: If the Nuggets want to win, they need to win now.
It is possible that Johnson simply had a down year. He could certainly bounce back next season. But that may not be a risk Denver is willing to take. Should he have a repeat season, the Nuggets may be squandering their chance.
Why They Could Trade Him
The matter has transcended into whether or not Denver wants to keep Johnson on the roster, though. Peyton Watson, who is coming off a career season, is about to hit free agency. The Nuggets do not have the cap space to re-sign him without going into the second apron unless they make a trade to clear cap space. That move would likely feature either Braun or Johnson, who both had disappointing seasons and are on sizeable contracts.
In all honesty, shipping Johnson may simply be easier. Braun had an even worse season than Johnson, as he averaged 12 points per game on 30% shooting from three. Additionally, his massive extension does not kick in until July 1, which will make him incredibly difficult to trade until then. However, even if the Nuggets do not decide to keep Watson or send away Braun instead, Johnson is still not entirely off the hook.
There is also a world this offseason in which the Nuggets choose to blow it up and hit the reset button. They have even been linked to superstars like Jaylen Brown, Kawhi Leonard, and Kevin Durant. In most of the mocked trades, Denver ends up sending Murray and perhaps some picks. But some have included packages featuring combinations of Johnson, Watson, and Gordon. Should such an opportunity arise, it may be hard to decline.
Cam Johnson or Christian Braun?
The most likely outcome for Denver’s offseason is that they trade away either Johnson or Brown for a young player and some picks. Then, after having cleared up cap space, they will re-sign Watson, remain under the second apron, and run it back.
Johnson had a disappointing season. However, in the recurring debate over whether Johnson or Braun should stay, Johnson is the clear choice.
After a 2024-25 season that put him in Most Improved Player conversations, Braun drastically failed to reach expectations. His points, rebounds, assists, and blocks per game all decreased, along with his field goal, three-point, and free throw percentages. Additionally, due to injury, he was only able to play in half of the season.
Johnson deserves at least a little bit of slack. It was his first year on the Nuggets, which was a stark contrast to Brooklyn, where he was the first option. He also still shot the ball very well from three, especially in the second half of the season, finishing at 43% on the year.
Meanwhile, this was Braun’s fourth year on the team. His regression has been shocking. Not only did he struggle offensively, but his defense, which was his calling card, was disappointing as well. His defensive rating went up by 2.3 from the year prior, and he simply looked lost defending Minnesota’s guards and wings. Additionally, his inability to create his own shot hurt the Nuggets, which, like the three-point shooting, is another area where Johnson has the edge.
What Should the Nuggets Do?
Ultimately, only time will tell how Denver chooses to proceed this offseason. After such a disappointing series in which the whole starting lineup underperformed, anything could happen.
If the Nuggets decide to clear room for Watson and leave it at that, they should send Braun instead of Johnson. But, if there are no takers for Braun, which is plausible, shipping Johnson away to keep Watson is worthwhile.
Additionally, if Denver can add a third star, especially a wing, while keeping Murray, they should do it no matter what. Just like with Watson, trading away Johnson and company for a player like Brown, Durant, or Leonard could be exactly what the Nuggets need.
There is also a world in which the Nuggets do what they did last year when they got Johnson: a straight-up trade. Sure, Denver threw in a 2032 first. But they were essentially banking on Johnson outperforming Porter Jr. They could try to exchange Johnson for a better wing, but after the season he had, doing so will be a challenge.
Denver hanging onto Johnson isn’t the worst-case scenario. Yes, he had a down season, but his traits are still there. He’s a fantastic shooter and a solid ball handler, which are both needs for the Nuggets. Additionally, a defensive resurgence is certainly in the cards for next season. Fans may just have to accept his new role as more of a 3-D than the scorer he was in Brooklyn.
If the Nuggets keep their core intact, there’s no reason to assume that they, and Johnson, cannot bounce back.
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