The Denver Nuggets are inevitably going to run into some cap issues this summer, as they are already a first-round team and will have to consider re-signing Peyton Watson. As a result, they could choose to cut some salaries, and Cameron Johnson may be the guy most people look at. There are some other contracts that could make sense to move, but Johnson’s, unfortunately, seems to be the most obvious.
Last summer, the Nuggets traded Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Johnson, and though it was an up-and-down year for him in Denver, he ended up playing well. But now, it seems like his time with the Nuggets could be pretty short-lived.
He may have to be a trade candidate this summer.
Nuggets may have to trade Cameron Johnson this summer
It’s become clear in the past that the Nuggets don’t want to overpay, even if the team is competing for championships. Guys like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown have fallen victim to this fate.
Now, the Nuggets are facing another potentially frustrating financial decision this summer, as they are going to end up being pressed against the second apron, which comes with some serious CBA penalties (and tax penalties).
Right now, the Nuggets are projected to be a first-round team, but that’s before they try to re-sign Watson, who is going to be a restricted free agent this summer.
As a result, if they want to retain him, or just stay in a safe place from an apron perspective, then trading a big contract may be their best bet. That’s where Johnson enters the picture.
Johnson is slated to make just over $23 million next season. Other guys who make around that much or more are Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and, obviously, Nikola Jokic.
Jokic isn’t going anywhere anytime soon (obviously). Murray seems like a pretty unlikely trade candidate, unless the Nuggets wanted to do something drastic. Gordon’s injuries may hurt his trade value, and Braun’s contract may hurt his.
That leaves Johnson, who will be on an expiring contract next season and could be viewed as a quality 3-and-D role player for a contending team looking to add to their roster.
Perhaps the Nuggets will decide to bite the bullet and pay more money than they want to next season, but that seems unlikely. And that means a trade will probably have to happen.
And Johnson seems like the most obvious candidate based on his contract and potential market value.
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