Nuggets are finally free from one of the worst contracts in franchise history

Months of Michael Porter Jr. mock trades have come to a close. ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the Denver Nuggets traded MPJ and a 2032 first-round pick to the Nets for Cameron Johnson.

Denver got off Porter's contract for an upgrade in Johnson, who will make $17 million less than MPJ in 2025-26, which speaks volumes in itself. The Nuggets got the financial relief they needed. It cost them a first-round pick, but 2032 doesn't matter when you have Nikola Jokic on the roster.

Porter signed a five-year, max extension worth up to $207 million with Denver in 2021. He'll make $38.3 million next season and $40.8 million in 2026-27. Fans accepted that the likelihood of a trade happening this offseason was low (or at least that's how it seemed), at least one that would give the Nuggets an upgrade. Little did they know.

Nuggets no longer have to worry about Michael Porter Jr.'s contract

MPJ helped Denver win its first-ever title in 2023, something that fans will always appreciate. However, the team's need to trade him became increasingly apparent, especially during the 2025 playoffs. Porter averaged 9.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in the postseason, shooting 39.2% from the field and 34.3% from three. Yes, he played through a shoulder sprain, which was admirable, but his inconsistency issue went deeper than that.

The Nuggets wedged themselves between a rock and a hard place with Porter's contract, a spot that seemed inescapable. MPJ and Cam are two different players, but turning the former into the latter was the best-case scenario for Denver. The Nuggets entered the offseason with the goal of putting the team in a position to win another title with Nikola Jokić, a task that was easier said than done, especially given Porter's contract. Questions about how they'd handle his situation are no more.

Porter is out. Johnson is in.