The Nets are trading forward Cam Johnson to the Denver Nuggets for forward Michael Porter Jr. and a first-round draft pick.

The draft pick does not carry any protections and is in 2032, as first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania.

Brooklyn GM Sean Marks said in a team statement announcing the trade that Porter is a "dynamic offensive talent, who will add shooting and floor spacing to our team while also providing a strong presence on the boards."

"He's been an integral part of a team that reached the pinnacle of success, and sharing his knowledge of what it takes to achieve at the highest level will be invaluable to our young roster," Marks said, referencing Porter winning the 2023 NBA Finals with Denver.

Porter appeared in 77 games (all starts) last year in Denver, averaging 18.2 points on 50.4 percent shooting (13.6 attempts) with 7.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists in 33.7 minutes. In an up-and-down playoff performance, he averaged just 9.1 points on 39.2 percent shooting (8.6 attempts) with 5.5 rebounds in 31.1 minutes. Porter, who turned 27 on Sunday, was much better during the Nuggets' run to a title in the 2023 postseason when he averaged 13.4 points and 8.1 rebounds in 32.7 minutes over 20 games.

Back issues have bothered Porter in the past, including causing him to miss his rookie campaign after he was the 14th overall selection in the 2018 draft, after back surgery held him to just three games in college. A third back surgery limited him to just nine games during the 2021-22 season.

Porter is due to make $38.3 million for the season and $40.8 million for the 2026-27 campaign before he would become an unrestricted free agent.

Johnson, in 57 games last year for the Nets, averaged a career-high with 18.8 points per game, 47.5 percent shooting, 13.1 attempts per game, and 31.6 minutes per game. He averaged 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists while battling several injuries during the season, his sixth in the league.

Johnson played parts of the last three seasons in Brooklyn after he was acquired at the 2023 trade deadline in the four-team deal that sent Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns and also brought Mikal Bridges and four first-round draft picks. He signed a multi-year extension with the Nets the following offseason.

Marks expressed his sincere thanks to Johnson for "everything he brought to our team these past few seasons."

"He embraced Brooklyn as his home from the moment he arrived, and the impact he's made both within the borough and our organization will be felt for years to come," the GM said. "We wish him and his family nothing but the best in the future."

The move takes Brooklyn about $17 million below the cap, which includes the $12.1 million free agent hold on Cam Thomas, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.

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