Why Cam Johnson is a great fit for Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst Kevin O'Connor is joined by Adam Mares to discuss Denver's additions this offseason and why Cam Johnson is a better fit for the team than Michael Porter Jr. Hear the full conversation on “The Kevin O’Connor Show” and subscribe on , , or wherever you listen.
Video Transcript
Adam, I am curious about your overall thoughts.
I'm sure you've talked about them a lot with the Denver Nuggets.
I feel like they have been one of the winners of this entire offseason so far.
Valentunis, De'Anthony Melton back on the floor, get Bruce Brown back, among many other additions.
What's your overall assessment of how Chris and this remade Nuggets front office has done so far?
Well, first of all, I think there are so many fascinating layers to the Nuggets because they get a rookie head coach, rookie front office, at every position.
My expectations were low.
They didn't have a lot of assets.
So my first impression is I was surprised.
I'm shocked that they were able to do so much and not just do so much.
I made a lot of moves I really believe in that I think are exciting.
They have depth.
They brought in shooting.
I mean, they were missing depth last year.
They didn't have any shooters outside of Michael Porter and Jamal Murray.
They've added a bunch.
And then they have this very unique situation with Vlatunis Valentina, a true backup center that we haven't really seen in the cache area.
So the Nuggets to me did a lot of interesting things and answered a lot of the questions that I just thought were unanswerable going into the offseason.
And I think, mate, the big move of all of them was trading Michael Porter Jr.
In a 2032 first for Cam Johnson.
And to me, on paper, as good as Michael Porter Jr. Was in his time in Denver, Cam Johnson is just better at some of the things that are gonna make him even a better fit next to Jokic because MPJ was a flamethrower shooter and he was like a, you know, helpful rim protector, a helpful rebounder, but Cam Johnson is an elite shooter off the catch, a developed shooter off the dribble as well, a guy who can attack a closeout, do some work in the mid-range area, can make the right pass, and is still a very good defender in his zone right as well.
Do you view Cam Johnson as worth sacrificing that 22, 2032 first round pick for the Nuggets?
To me, no question.
There's absolutely worth it because I think Cam Johnson is meaningfully better at the things that are going to really matter about the fit for Denver, namely the ability to read the floor, the ability to guard and keep your guy in front of you.
Not that Cam Johnson is a shutdown defender, but I think he's going to do a good job of executing the scheme and keeping the guys in front of him.
So yes, I think it was worth it.
I mean, look, Leoga is over.
I've seen 60 years of Denver Nuggets basketball where it hasn't been pretty.
I think Nuggets fans are prepared for whatever's coming their way in 2032 and beyond.
It's gonna be ugly, but you use that asset to bolster your opportunity right now, and I just think Cam Johnson, this is, it's rare we get, uh, uh, a situation like this where we're going to be able to compare two players, very, very similar in different situations, swapping with each other because you always wonder how much you get a bump playing with Jokic.
Michael Porter wants to expand his game.
How much does he, how efficient can he be?
Those questions will be answered this year, and it's kind of exciting.