The Denver Nuggets made a gutsy call this past offseason-one that raised a few eyebrows when it went down. They moved on from Michael Porter Jr., a long-time starter and a key part of their championship core, in exchange for Cam Johnson.
Swapping out a known commodity for a player still finding his full potential in a new system is never easy. But Thursday night against the Magic?
That was the kind of performance that reminds you why Denver rolled the dice.
Johnson finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds in the win, but the box score only tells part of the story. This wasn’t just about numbers-it was about fit, flow, and the kind of two-way impact Denver envisioned when they made the trade.
Johnson looked like a player who’s settling into his role, understanding how to complement Nikola Jokic rather than compete for touches. And that’s exactly what this team needs.
Let’s be honest-there’s been some understandable concern early in the season. Johnson’s numbers haven’t jumped off the page, and for a fanbase used to MPJ’s scoring outbursts, the adjustment hasn’t always been smooth.
But Thursday was a clear sign that this is all part of the process. Johnson is learning how to operate within Denver’s system, and more importantly, how to elevate it.
What stood out most wasn’t the scoring-it was how Johnson impacted the game without forcing anything. He stayed active defensively, attacked the glass, and moved within the offense with purpose.
He didn’t need to dominate the ball to make his presence felt. Instead, he played the role of a connector-bridging the gap between the stars and the supporting cast, keeping the offense humming, and doing the dirty work on defense.
That kind of versatility is gold for a team like Denver, especially with how opponents are defending them this year. Teams are throwing everything they’ve got at Jokic, daring the rest of the roster to beat them.
And when the offense stalls, it’s often because the ball sticks or the movement stops. Johnson helps prevent that.
He can attack closeouts, make the extra pass, and guard multiple positions. That gives head coach Michael Malone more lineup flexibility and more options when the game slows down-especially come playoff time.
And here’s the key: Denver isn’t asking Johnson to be Porter Jr. They’re not looking for a high-volume scorer or a 25-point-per-game guy.
They’re looking for someone who can be a steady, reliable presence-someone who can hit open shots, defend his position, and make smart plays in big moments. Thursday’s double-double was a perfect example of that.
It wasn’t flashy, but it was effective. And in the postseason, those are the performances that can swing a series.
Even more encouraging? Johnson’s chemistry with Jokic is still developing.
The two are starting to find a rhythm, especially in dribble handoffs and secondary actions where timing is everything. As that connection tightens, Denver’s offense becomes even tougher to guard.
Jokic is a master at making his teammates better-but it only works when those teammates know how to play off him. Johnson is getting there.
At the end of the day, this trade wasn’t about reaching for a higher ceiling-it was about raising the floor. It was about making sure Denver can survive the grind of an 82-game season and still be ready when the lights get brighter in the spring. Johnson’s willingness to embrace the little things-rebounding, rotating, moving without the ball-fits exactly what this team is about.
Thursday night wasn’t a breakout. But it was a glimpse.
A glimpse of what this version of the Nuggets can become when the pieces fit just right. And if Cam Johnson keeps trending in this direction, Denver’s bet might just pay off in the biggest way possible.