For the Denver Nuggets to retain Peyton Watson and avoid the second tax apron, they would've had to offload salary. One name stood out as the most likely to be on their way out: Cam Johnson. It made some sense, as he's set to make $23 million in the final season of his deal, but the front office wasn't interested in parting with the 30-year-old forward.
As Bennett Durando of The Denver Post reported in early September, the Nuggets "rebuffed" opposing teams' efforts (subscription required) to try to get Denver to "give up draft picks along with Johnson."
And rightfully so. Moving on from Johnson in a salary dump, a year after sending Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected first-round pick to Brooklyn for him, would've been a desperate move, one the Nuggets weren't ready to make. Instead, they sent Watson to the Cavaliers and received a first-round pick in return.
It's just the preseason, but so far, Johnson's early returns look good for what Denver really needs from him—consistency.
Nuggets need Cam Johnson to be Cam Johnson
In his first unofficial 2026-27 action, Johnson finished with eight points on 3-of-7 shooting (2-of-6 from three), two rebounds, one steal, and one block in 15 minutes. He was, of course, the recipient of arguably Nikola Jokić's most impressive pass of his career. Two nights later, he had 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting (2-of-3 from deep) in 15 minutes.
He won't average 15 minutes per game in the regular season (he averaged 30.5 last season), but that's the kind of steady production they need from Johnson in his minutes.
Johnson got off to a slow start last season, which was understandable as he adjusted to a new setting, but it took longer than fans would've liked for him to get up to speed. Even as he started to find his footing as the months ticked by, he still looked unsure of his surroundings at times.
Still, he finished the season averaging 12.2 points on 43% shooting from three, so, contrary to what some believed, his arrival in Denver wasn't the result of a wasted trade. The Nuggets thought so, too.
Cam Johnson looks calm and collected
What sticks out about watching Johnson in his first two preseason games is his confidence. He's a lot more comfortable entering his second season in Denver, and it's showing.
Johnson's indecisveness isn't haunting him. He's not hesitating with the ball in his hands, overthinking. He's playing aggressive. And, of course, his shot looks pretty good, which is the result of his increased confidence.
He doesn't look like he's trying uncomfortably to fit in because he understands his role and what Denver expects of him. Johnson isn't the new guy anymore, to the point where it looks like he's been with the Nuggets for more than just one year.
Again, it's only the preseason, and you don't want to read too much into things, but what we've seen from Johnson is for real. You can't fake confidence, and part of that confidence could come from knowing the Nuggets turned down offers for him over the offseason because they want him in Denver.
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