The Denver Nuggets made a bold move to trade one of their core pieces over the summer [in Michael Porter Jr.](https://nugglove.com/nets-quietly-learning-what-nuggets-fans-know-michael-porter-jr) in order to bring in Cam Johnson. Getting rid of a long-time starter that knows your system so well is a bold move, but nights like Johnson's on Thursday are proving that this team absolutely made the right choice.
Plenty of concern has been expressed through the first two months of this season that Johnson hasn't made as big of an impact as some had expected, and his numbers are down. But in reality, this has all been part of the process of him [getting acclimated to Denver's system](https://nugglove.com/cameron-johnson-providing-underrated-impact-nuggets), and learning how best to utilize his talents within it. His 19-point, 11-rebound performance in the Nuggets' win over the Magic on Thursday was proof of this.
This kind of night showcased exactly what Denver envisioned when it made the swap. Johnson was active defensively and comfortable letting the offense flow through Nikola Jokic without forcing his own touches. When Johnson plays within the rhythm of the offense and stays engaged on the glass, he becomes a true two-way connector rather than just a spot-up shooter.
Cam Johnson continues growing more comfortable in his role
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The Nuggets have needed that connective tissue more than ever this year. With defenses loading up on Jokic and daring role players to make them pay, Denver’s offense has occasionally stalled into predictable possessions. Johnson’s ability to attack closeouts, make extra passes and defend multiple positions gives the Nuggets a lineup flexibility they simply didn't have before. That's the kind of versatility becomes even more important in playoff settings.
It's also worth noting that Johnson does not need to replicate MPJ's shot profile for this move to work. Denver is not asking him to be a volume scorer, but rather a reliable and consistent performer within his role. Thursday’s double-double showed how impactful he can be without dominating the ball. Those are the types of performances that can later swing a playoff series.
The encouraging part for Denver is that Johnson’s game is still catching up to his comfort level. His chemistry with Jokic continues to improve, particularly on dribble handoffs and secondary actions where timing matters a lot. As that connection tightens, the Nuggets’ half-court offense becomes harder to load up against.
Ultimately, this trade was about raising Denver’s floor rather than chasing a higher ceiling. Johnson’s steady presence and willingness to do the dirty work fits the Nuggets’ identity perfectly. Thursday night wasn't a breakout performance, but it was a glimpse of what this version of Denver can look like once everything fully clicks.