If the Denver Nuggets trade Cameron Johnson to make room to re-sign Peyton Watson to dump salary, they'd be making an embarrassing mistake again. The Nuggets are penny-pinching around Nikola Jokic, and this move would only add to the more-than-questionable decision not to pay the tax penalties to keep building around the three-time MVP. They already paid a painful price to be cheap this season, and losing Johnson early would just rub salt in the wounds.
The Nuggets traded a huge talent in Michael Porter Jr., plus a 2032 first-round pick -- which is MUCH more valuable now after the latest NBA Draft rule changes -- just to save on the luxury tax penalties last season.
They acquired Cameron Johnson, who is making substantially less money, and, for all his efforts, it was a roster downgrade compared to MPJ. Now, a year later, the Nuggets are right back in a similar financial spot, without a future first-round pick they can trade because they don't control any. A roster downgrade and losing a pick, just to save a few bucks?
The right move is to pay the tax penalties
The right move for the Nuggets is to pay the tax penalties. It's not like the Kroenkes aren't incredibly rich billionaires who could afford the fines. They've got the Joker, who, if he's not the best basketball player in the world on a consensus level anymore, is at least top three. And he's probably number one if his wrist gets better next year and his three-point shot returns. You pay to build around him.
Part of the reason the Nuggets are in the mess they're in is due to Jokic's $59 million salary next season. He's making two Cam's plus next year. It's hard to build around your superstar when you penny-pinch around the edges of the roster construction.
If they let Cam go, the Nuggets have nothing to show for MPJ
The Nuggets traded MPJ after two failed playoff runs in defense of their championship and three consecutive years in the luxury tax land. The total tax penalties for those three seasons are about $58 million. That's small change to a multi, multi, multi, and more billionaire to keep the best possible roster around Jokic.
Now, if they let Cam go, the Nuggets will have nothing to show for Porter and one less pick, just to avoid the fines. Which they were comfortable paying in the past. Why aren't they comfortable doing that now?
Sure, it is one of the Nuggets' options, but it should be the only one. It would be a shame to see the Nuggets try to avoid the tax again while they've still got the three-time MVP in his prime.
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