The Denver Nuggets made a franchise-altering decision as free agency began on Monday night, as the franchise reportedly dealt their former No. 14 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets.
"BREAKING: The Denver Nuggets are trading Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Cam Johnson, sources tell ESPN," ESPN's Shams Charania shared via Twitter/X on Monday.
After contributing a career-best 18.2 points along with 7.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and a stellar 39.5% three-point percentage in 77 appearances for the Nuggets, Porter Jr. will be heading to Brooklyn in exchange for one of the league's most sought-after names on the trade market, Cam Johnson.
Denver's addition of a future first-round pick along with Porter Jr. in the deal is somewhat of a shock, but the Nets likely wished to receive some form of draft capital in any deal for Johnson to assist in their rebuild.
Though dealing away a rising star of Porter Jr.'s caliber will sting for the Nuggets' front office, landing a player of Johnson's archetype to pair with 3-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić should catapult the team right back into position as one of the top title contenders in a loaded Western Conference.
In 57 contests for the Nets, the 29-year-old two-way wing averaged 18.8 points and 4.3 rebounds while boasting a 58.2% effective field goal percentage. With this signing, Jokić gains another capable catch-and-shoot threat at the forward position with reliable point-of-attack defensive ability.
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