I was already high on Cam Johnson’s fit with the Nuggets, but after hearing his introductory press conference, I realized that the sky is the limit for this team. Johnson was asked what he’ll bring to Denver, and the first things he said were “team first mentality” and that “my goal is to win”.
Johnson talked about his love for the game and how the way the Nuggets play, especially with Nikola Jokic, is how he likes to play as well. He specifically mentioned “relocation” and how he is excited to get more catch-and-shoot looks in this offense. He even recounted how, as a child, he was dreaming about the game and drawing up plays.
From the press conference alone, it was easy to tell that Johnson is a heady player, a team player, and he said all the right things. Clearly, the last few years in Brooklyn haven’t been ideal for Johnson, but he’s excited to get to a team that plays the right way, where he can be in a more appropriate role, and have a real chance to contend.
Johnson was badly overtasked in Brooklyn
It became clear after the Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, James Harden trio blew up in Brooklyn that the Nets were in for a long rebuild. But Johnson ended up being one of the last people to get off the sinking ship. He became the go-to guy on offense for a very bad team, and while his stats went up, the team was losing games, and Johnson was being misused.
Before Johnson was traded to the Nets, he got his start in Phoenix. He was a perfect role player for the Suns and played well in helping the team make a run to the Finals in 2021. It was easy to see the vision for a young Johnson and how he should be able to impact winning in the NBA for a long time.
Johnson’s fit in Denver should be perfect
In Denver, Johnson should get the best of both worlds. He’s back in a situation where he shouldn’t be more than the third or fourth option on offense. He’ll get to play off the ball and should get plenty of open looks, but will also have opportunities to use his on-ball skills he developed with the Nets.
He can impact winning again and play alongside players that are as good or better than him for a change. This fit should be ideal, and after seeing what life is like in Brooklyn, Johnson must be thrilled to be back in a winning situation. He got a glimpse of it early in his career, then had it all pulled away. Hopefully, that will motivate him to bring the best version of himself and help the Nuggets get over the hump this season.