The Denver Nuggets and Brooklyn Nets swung a deal just an hour after the opening bell of NBA free agency.
It’s a simple one, but one with potentially huge future implications for both franchises.
Let’s get into it.
When you have millions upon millions of dollars in cap space, but have just started your rebuilding process, there’s really only one smart thing to do with all that money.
Rent it out for draft picks.
That’s exactly what the Nets did by shipping out Cam Johnson, who’s earning $21 million this year, for Michael Porter Jr., who’s earning $38.3 million.
The price for absorbing the extra $17.3 million this year?
A fully unprotected 2032 first-round selection, courtesy of the Nuggets, which has a good chance of being juicy as Nikola Jokić will be 37 by the time the pick conveys.
As for Porter, he won’t just clog up their cap. He’ll get a chance to play and put up numbers. Who knows? Perhaps the Nets can double-dip in 12 months and send his expiring deal of $40.8 million out for another long-term deal, potentially acquiring another pick along the way.
Good business by the Nets.
Grade: A
As you can probably deduce, the Nuggets took back less money and a player of similar caliber to Porter in Johnson.
By clearing $17-plus million from their books, the Nuggets now find themselves with flexibility the next two years because they won’t be flirting with the second apron.
They also accounted for Aaron Gordon’s raise from $22.8 million this season to $31.9 million in 2026-27 and prepared for the extra cap hit.
Perhaps more importantly, Christian Braun is extension-eligible and will have a new contract in 12 months, which will be much richer than his current rookie-scale salary.
The Nuggets give up a pick seven years down the line for immediate cap assistance, and while that price was steep, this is a clear buy-in on the Jokić era and an attempt to prolong their competitive window.
Grade: B
