Cam Johnson
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The Denver Nuggets acquired Cam Johnson from the Brooklyn Nets in the offseason.
The Denver Nuggets have been without forward Cam Johnson since he suffered a knee injury on December 23 against the Dallas Mavericks. Johnson was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his right knee and was ruled out for four to six weeks.
ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported on Johnson’s diagnosis before Christmas. He was then given a timeline that would put his return before the All-Star break. He’s currently approaching the fifth week of his injury, so he’s inching closer to his re-evaluation date.
Johnson suffered the injury during a rebound battle against Mavs rookie Cooper Flagg early in the fourth quarter in Dallas. He landed awkwardly on his right knee, which buckled before he fell to the floor.
The Nuggets quickly called a timeout, with team officials and medical personnel checking on Johnson. He was in pain as he tried to bend his knee following the injury.
Luckily, the former Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets player avoided a major injury. His absence paved the way for Peyton Watson to step up and play some of the best basketball of his young career.
David Adelman Drops Latest Update on Johnson’s Return Timeline
Speaking to reporters before Sunday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, coach David Adelman was asked about an update on Cam Johnson, as well as Christian Braun.
According to Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette, Adelman revealed that both players are expected to return before the All-Star break. Johnson is right on his initial recovery timeline, while Braun returned too early and wasn’t feeling comfortable about his ankle.
“David Adelman says it’s unlikely Christian Braun plays tonight, but he’s handled some of the contact work in the practice gym well. Adelman says Cam Johnson’s pretty much in the same boat. Still hope to get both those guys back in the five other games before the All-Star break,” Benedetto tweeted.
Johnson was averaging just 11.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists before his injury. He was struggling in his first season in Denver, trying to adapt as quickly as possible to how to play with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. He was starting to get his rhythm when he sprained his right knee.
Michael Porter Jr. Comments on Being Traded for Johnson
One of the biggest trades this past offseason was the Brooklyn Nets acquiring Michael Porter Jr. in exchange for Cam Johnson. Porter was coming off another solid campaign for the Denver Nuggets, but the new front office duo of Ben Tenzer and Jonathan Wallace wanted to improve the team’s depth.
Porter, who still keeps in contact with his former Nuggets teammates, had no ill will toward the franchise. He told Bennett Durando of The Denver Post that the trade was a win-win situation for all involved parties.
“It’s a very unique situation where I think both organizations and both teams kind of benefited from the trade. I don’t look back at it with any saltiness toward the organization or anything. I think they got a lot out of trading me,” Porter said.
In addition to Johnson, the Porter trade allowed the Nuggets to acquire Jonas Valanciunas from the Sacramento Kings and sign Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. in free agency.