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"A better fit and he makes half the money" - Scalabrine says replacing MPJ with Cam Johnson puts the Nuggets back in title contention
"A better fit and he makes half the money" - Scalabrine says replacing MPJ with Cam Johnson puts the Nuggets back in title contention

Yahoo

time12 hours ago

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

"A better fit and he makes half the money" - Scalabrine says replacing MPJ with Cam Johnson puts the Nuggets back in title contention

"A better fit and he makes half the money" - Scalabrine says replacing MPJ with Cam Johnson puts the Nuggets back in title contention originally appeared on Basketball Network. The Denver Nuggets' first move in the 2025 NBA free agency period was to trade starting forward Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Cameron Johnson. Advertisement While Johnson is not an All-Star or All-NBA player who can move the needle for the Nuggets, SiriusXM NBA Radio's Brian Scalabrine thinks the move involving him and Porter Jr. could be a game-changer for the 2023 NBA champions. "I think Cameron Johnson's a better fit and he makes half the money," said Scal. "All it cost him was a 2032 unprotected pick. If they're still good in 2032, which who knows what 2032 looks like, they might pay the price for that. But in the meantime, that's a championship roster right there, and they have a little bit of flexibility because their number is 185, which they're underneath all those aprons. So they'll have some room to do things." Same player at half the price Once projected to be a No.1 overall pick, Porter Jr. slipped in the 2018 NBA Draft due to concerns about his back injury in college. The Nuggets took a gamble on him at No.14, and after Michael sat out his rookie season to rehabilitate, he emerged as a starter and played a key role in Denver's 2023 title run. MPJ has career averages of 16.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game with shooting splits of .500/.406/.795. Advertisement Meanwhile, Johnson was the 11th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He began his career with the Phoenix Suns but was traded to the Nets along with Mikal Bridges and draft picks for Kevin Durant in 2023. Cam has career averages of 12.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game with shooting splits of .453/.392/.851. However, he is coming off his best season ever at 18.8 points, 4.3 boards, and 3.4 dimes per night. Given that MPJ averaged 18.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game this past season, both produced almost the exact numbers for their respective teams. Their games are also very similar, making this trade nearly lateral from a basketball point of view. Financially, however, Porter Jr. costs twice as much as Johnson, and that's where Scalabrine thinks this is a home run for Denver. Related: Pippen once missed a layup to prevent MJ from getting a triple-double in the 1997 Finals: "I didn't want him to tie me" Denver gets much-needed flexibility The Nuggets went from owing Porter Jr. $79.1 million in the next two seasons to paying Johnson $43 million over the same period. Not only is that an outright $36.1 million savings for Denver, the reduction in total payroll also put them below the first apron and gave them access to the $14.1 million mid-level exception and a $16.8 million trade exception, which they can use to add players. Advertisement True enough, the Nuggets sent Dario Saric to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for center Jonas Valanciunas. Although Valanciunas will make $5 million more than Saric, Denver is able to take in his salary because of the flexibility that they gained from the MPJ-Cam deal. Aside from Valanciunas, the Nuggets were also able to bring back forward Bruce Brown, who was a member of their 2023 title team. Then on Tuesday, Denver added another veteran piece in the person of the sharpshooting Tim Hardaway Jr. and with still some money to spare, they might not be done. As it stands, the Nuggets have lost only MPJ and Russell Westbrook, but they've added Johnson, Valanciunas, Hardaway, and Brown, making the current team much deeper than the one that took the 2025 champions OKC Thunder, to seven games in the second round. Related: Josh Kroenke saying Nuggets might be one wrong injury away from trading Nikola Jokic reveals the team's biggest problem This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.

Three Biggest Winners Of NBA Free Agency
Three Biggest Winners Of NBA Free Agency

Forbes

timea day ago

  • Business
  • Forbes

Three Biggest Winners Of NBA Free Agency

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 19: Cameron Johnson #2 of the Brooklyn Nets looks to pass as Jamal Murray ... More #27 and Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets defend during the first half at Barclays Center on March 19, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) Day one of NBA free agency got off to a busy start as organizations re-signed key players and made valuable additions to their existing rosters for the upcoming season. A collection of teams were already active on the trade market pre-dating the start of free agency and kept their feet on the gas with various signings during the legal tampering period. Below are three NBA teams that finished the night as winners from transactions made before the draft and up to now. 1. Houston Rockets HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 04: Head coach Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets celebrates with Amen Thompson ... More #1 and Fred VanVleet #5 after a timeout is called by the Houston Rockets during the third quarter in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on May 04, 2025 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) The Rockets started their offseason moves before the draft by trading their 2025 top-10 pick, five second round picks, Jalen Green, and Dillon Brooks to the Phoenix Suns for Kevin Durant. Even at 36 years old, Durant posted one of his more efficient seasons with the Suns, averaging nearly 27 points per game on 52/43/84 efficient shooting splits last season. The move for Durant emphasized Houston's intent to go all-in for the upcoming season after its successful 52-30 campaign in 2025. From there, the Rockets bolstered its wing depth by signing Dorian Finney-Smith to a four-year deal to replace Dillon Brooks' three-and-d production. The Clint Capela signing may be perceived as slight overkill, but it provides depth to the center position behind Steven Adams, who, while they did extend, has an injury-riddled track record. The center rotation of Adams and Capela gives Houston tons of versatility on the frontline that they didn't have a few seasons ago. By getting Durant, Houston didn't have to sacrifice the heart of its young core in the process. Jabari Smith Jr. was not only not moved, but extended on a rookie contract that makes his services affordable at the price of just $25 million per year. Paired with rising talents such as Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, Houston has the veteran talent and young pieces to make a genuine run in the Western Conference this upcoming season. 2. Denver Nuggets DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 29: Bruce Brown #11 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after a dunk against the ... More Phoenix Suns in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena on April 29, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) There was no denying that the Denver Nuggets were somewhat constricted in what they could do roster-wise with money tied into their 2023 championship core. So, the franchise decided to part ways with Michael Porter Jr.'s large contract in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, which led to them acquiring small forward Cam Johnson in return. The Cam Johnson deal required Denver to shell out an unprotected 2032 first-round selection for his services, but the move made valuable sense for the Nuggets title aspirations. Johnson has the cheaper contract, is just as good of a shooter as MPJ and presents better portability during the playoffs due to his defensive nature. The return of Bruce Brown on a one-year deal may have been one of Denver's most underrated additions of the offseason. Brown will regain his role as the team's backup floor general and will thrive as a cutter, screener, and transition player in his minutes with Jokic and Murray. The team also moved the contract of Dario Saric to the Sacramento Kings for a backup big in Jonas Valanciunas. Valanciunas provides the team a legitimate backup center to keep the offense somewhat functional during the non-Jokic minutes. With Jokic in his prime, the window for Denver to win a title is slim, but realistic. Surrounding the team with players that align with the Joker's skillset is valuable, and the few additions they did make prioritize that greatly. 3. Atlanta Hawks NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 11: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks celebrates the win with ... More teammate Jalen Johnson #1 after the game against the New York Knicks in the quarterfinal game of the Emirates NBA Cup at Madison Square Garden on December 11, 2024 in New York City. The Atlanta Hawks defeated the New York Knicks 108-100 to advance to the semifinal round. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo) Atlanta seized the moment in a wide-open East by going all-in around point guard Trae Young. Adding Kristaps Porzingis to their starting five provides a five-out lineup that features optimal spacing in the frontcourt, allowing Young to get to the rack and either finish for himself or initiate plays for others. The Nickeil Alexander-Walker signing gives Atlanta yet another wing defender to protect its point guard at the point-of-attack while also providing them an extra offensive initiator when Young isn't on the floor. How NAW fits into the Hawks' starting five remains to be seen, but he instantly becomes a multi-tool spark plug off the bench. Luke Kennard isn't the two-way player that Porzingis and Alexander-Walker are, but he's been one of the game's best shooters from three, according to the percentages. An added gun to the team's uptempo offense will only bolster their offense. Atlanta has clearly brought in personnel designed to push the pace on offense and applies intense perimeter pressure on defense. Under Quinn Snyder, the team may approach top-five offense and defense rankings in a winnable Eastern Conference next year.

Nuggets Linked to Victor Wembanyama's French Teammate in Free Agency
Nuggets Linked to Victor Wembanyama's French Teammate in Free Agency

Yahoo

time2 days ago

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

Nuggets Linked to Victor Wembanyama's French Teammate in Free Agency

Nuggets Linked to Victor Wembanyama's French Teammate in Free Agency originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Denver Nuggets entered NBA free agency on Monday looking to make some upgrades to their roster as they try to compete for another championship next season. Advertisement That is exactly what they were able to do as Denver started off their free agency with a bang by sending Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Cameron Johnson. With that trade, the Nuggets opened up some cap space to make more moves and they did just that by signing Bruce Brown to a one-year deal in free agency as they reunited with a key piece of their championship roster. Now the Nuggets will look to continue to upgrade their roster and they have recently been linked to one of Victory Wembanyama's French teammates in free agency. According to ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel, the Nuggets are a team to keep an eye on for Guerschon Yabusele as he is expected to leave the Philadelphia 76ers after they signed Trendon Watford on Monday. The Nuggets have been in desperate need of a backup center behind Nikola Jokic and while Yabusele is an undersized center, he would be a major upgrade to their second unit. Advertisement Last season, the 29-year-old Frenchman averaged 11.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 50.1% from the field and 38.0% from three-point range. This was Yabusele's first NBA season since the 2018-19 campaign where he played for the Boston Celtics. Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele reacts against the Minnesota Ross-Imagn Images Of course, Yabusele was on many team's radar last summer after his performance for France in the Paris Olympics, eventually signing a deal with the 76ers. Now with the 76ers having a limited amount of cap space, the 6-8 big man is expected to move to a new team this offseason and the Nuggets would be a solid fit for him. Yabusele would give the Nuggets a great scorer and rebounder off the bench behind Jokic, something they have lacked in their frontcourt depth over the past few seasons. Advertisement Despite this, many teams are expected to show interest in the 29-year-old center, including the San Antonio Spurs. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.

被籃網交易到金塊 Johnson興奮
被籃網交易到金塊 Johnson興奮

Yahoo

time2 days ago

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

被籃網交易到金塊 Johnson興奮

金塊與籃網今天(1日)作出重要交易案,金塊把Michael Porter Jr.以及2032年未受保護的首輪選秀籤送到籃網,換來Cameron Johnson,Johnson得知消息後感到相當興奮。 Cameron Johnson(右)。圖片來源:達志影像 雖然上賽季Johnson的18.2分、4.3籃板、3.4助攻、命中率4成75的成績與 Porter的18.2分、7籃板、2.1助攻、命中率5成4差距不會太大,但金塊多送出一個選秀權是因為他們可以藉此擺脫Porter未來2年分別為3830萬美元、4080萬美元的合約,至於 Johnson未來2年合約分別是2100萬美元、2300萬美元。 Johnson得到來對於金塊是有正面且實際的幫助,這位身高6呎8吋的前鋒除了有不俗的得分能力,他的防守功力也很扎實。 這是金塊新制服組 Ben Tenzer、Jon Wallace上任後的首個重要球員異動,讓金塊得以脫離豪華稅門檻,並且有能力使用價值1410萬美元的中產階級條款。 Johnson談到即將前進丹佛時表示:「我很興奮,有機會能與聯盟頂級的好手一同打球,還有什麼好要求的?」 搞定Johnson交易案後,金塊隨即以老將底薪合約與 Bruce Brown簽下1年合約,Brown曾在2022-23年金塊奪冠球季有著出色的表現,且是休息室受到隊友歡迎的球員。 - ✎緯來體育台官方網站 【 】 ✎緯來新聞網 【 】 ✎緯來體育台官方YouTube收看NBA LIVE直播 【 】 緯來體育台-2024-25NBA美國職籃大賽-賽程轉播表

Winners, losers from Michael Porter Jr. trade to Brooklyn Nets
Winners, losers from Michael Porter Jr. trade to Brooklyn Nets

Yahoo

time2 days ago

  • Business
  • Yahoo

Winners, losers from Michael Porter Jr. trade to Brooklyn Nets

The opening day of NBA free agency felt a little quieter than usual, in part because the big deals happened early — Kevin Durant traded to Houston, Desmond Bane to Orlando —or they didn't happen at all (hello, Giannis). Still, there was one trade of note, with the Denver Nuggets parting ways with a core part of their title run, Michael Porter Jr. Let's break down the winners and losers from the one big move of the day, starting with the details of the trade itself. Advertisement Brooklyn receives: Michael Porter Jr., 2032 unprotected first-round pick Denver receives: Cameron Johnson WINNER: Denver Nuggets This was a brilliant bit of front office work by Denver — textbook smart roster construction. Let's start here: Cameron Johnson is better than Michael Porter Jr. Even if you think their offensive production is similar (we can debate that), Johnson is a much better defender and is a smart player. Both are good 3-point shooters (MPJ 39.5% last season, Johnson 39%), Johnson gets to the line more and is a better playmaker for others, Porter is the better rebounder. The real key is that Johnson is a much better defender, which is a huge boost for Denver, and playing him at the three next to Aaron Gordon is a significant advantage. Advertisement What makes this trade such a win for Denver: Both Porter Jr. and Johnson have two years left on their contracts, but Johnson makes $34 million less in those two years. Even if you call swapping Johnson for Porter a wash — or anything close to that — then saving $17 million a season to spread around to others and bring in depth (like the return of Bruce Brown) is a big win for the Nuggets. Denver now has access to the mid-level exception again. It also keeps the Nuggets out of the second apron of the luxury tax, freeing up other possible moves to add depth. Denver just saved a lot of money and probably improved, which is the definition of a win. They did give up what could be a very valuable pick in seven years, but when you have Nikola Jokic, you try to win now and worry about the rest later. WINNER: Cameron Johnson Johnson is a player a lot of other front offices have coveted, believing that if they got him in a system with better spacing playing off a high-level shot creator, he would thrive. Welcome to playing in Denver with Nikola Jokic. Advertisement Johnson is a defensive upgrade for the Nuggets and a high-level 3-point shooter who plays a smart game. He's a guy not enough fans (especially casual fans) have seen, but that is about to change. Johnson averaged 18.2 points a game on 39% shooting from 3 last season, and he is about to get cleaner looks and better opportunities to drive and make plays than he has ever had before. He is going to come out a winner here. LOSER: Michael Porter Jr. Porter Jr. is not a big loser here, but he's going from a title contender in Denver to a rebuilding team in Brooklyn, and that's going to be a big change. It's an adjustment. Here's where Porter Jr. can prove me wrong and turn this into a big win: He is an incredibly talented offensive player about to go to an all-you-can-eat buffet of shots. If he's consistent, if he's focused, if he stays healthy, he could be one of the top five scorers in the league this year — and with that, improve his reputation around the league. Advertisement The Nets say they are keeping him. MPJ is going to get his chance, we'll see what he does with it. WINNER: Brooklyn Nets This is how you use cap space to rebuild: Take a player into that cap space to get a very valuable asset. In 2032, Jokic will be 37, and there's a reasonable chance he is living in Serbia as a full-time horse trainer by then. Whatever happens, it's a good bet that the Nuggets will not be the same team, a consistent top-four team in the West, and that pick could be very valuable. It's also possible that they can flip Porter Jr. — maybe the version of him who has improved his reputation around the league — for more assets later. Again, this is how you rebuild, get as many bites at the apple as you can. POSSIBLE WINNER: Christian Braun Denver has a lot more room under the tax aprons and a lot more money to spend. Christian Braun is entering the final year of his current contract, which is worth $4.9 million, and he is due a substantial raise. It's not hard to connect the dots here. We'll see where things land, but Braun could cash in off this trade.

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