NBA free agency officially began on Monday night as teams can officially sign players who are free agents to contracts.
While teams around the league were busy looking at the free agent market, the Denver Nuggets were looking on the trade market as they made a massive move on Monday night.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Nuggets are trading Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Cameron Johnson.
This is a massive move by the Nuggets and one that comes as somewhat of a surprise as they had been unwilling to move on from Porter Jr. over the past few seasons.
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1)
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
That has since changed as they decided to make a major move to add a sharpshooter from the Nets to pair alongside Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon in the starting lineup.
Of course, Johnson had been in trade rumors over the past few seasons and while many teams had talks with the Nets at the trade deadline last season, they ultimately elected to keep him on their roster and search for a trade this summer.
That is exactly what they did as they are sending him to the Nuggets for an emerging star in Porter Jr. as Brooklyn continues their rebuild.
Johnny Furphy
Dec 4, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson (2) looks to pass the ball against Indiana Pacers forward Johnny Furphy (12) during the third quarter at Barclays Center.
© Brad Penner-Imagn Images
For the Nuggets, swapping Porter Jr. for Johnson is a massive move for them as they now add a knockdown three-point shooter to their starting lineup.
Last season, the 29-year-old forward averaged 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 47.5% from the field and 39.0% from three.
With the addition of Johnson, the Nuggets now add a great three-point shooter to their roster and also a solid defender as they try to return to championship form next season behind their new core with more moves possibly in the works.