With championship pedigree and a skill set tailored to complement Nikola Jokic, Cam Johnson may be the key to reigniting the Denver Nuggets title hopes.


IMAGE: Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. / USA TODAY NETWORK-USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets are reloading, not rebuilding – and the pieces they’ve added this offseason make it clear they’re still thinking championship, not just playoffs. After a season that didn’t quite live up to the heights of their 2023 title run, Denver has doubled down on surrounding Nikola Jokic with the kind of talent that complements his unique skill set. And at the heart of that strategy is a bold move: sending Michael Porter Jr. out and bringing Cam Johnson in.

Let’s start with the headline: Cam Johnson is now a Denver Nugget. And that’s not just a roster shuffle – it’s a statement.

Johnson brings playoff chops, proven production, and a skill set tailor-made to play alongside a generational facilitator like Jokic. He’s not just a shooter.

He’s a floor-spacer with a high basketball IQ, a willing defender on the perimeter, and someone who’s been deep in the postseason pressure cooker before.

Remember Johnson’s run with the Phoenix Suns during their 2020-21 Finals push? He was a reliable contributor off the bench, averaging nearly 10 points per game while providing energy and defense in big moments.

That wasn’t a fluke. The next season, with an expanded role, he upped his averages across the board – more points, more boards, more playmaking.

And most recently with the Brooklyn Nets, he took another leap. As a featured option, Johnson posted 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.

Those aren’t just starter numbers – they’re evidence of a player ready to carry a heavier load.

Now, picture that kind of offensive capability slotted next to Jokic. Denver’s offense thrives on movement, spacing, and smart decision-making.

Johnson checks every box. He’s a knockdown shooter who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective, but he’s also shown he can create when needed.

Defensively, he brings more versatility than Porter Jr., especially on the perimeter – an area where Denver has needed more consistency since their title run.

But Johnson wasn’t the only addition. The Nuggets went to work this offseason, bringing in Tim Hardaway Jr., Bruce Brown, and Jonas Valanciunas – all veterans with postseason experience and defined roles.

Hardaway Jr. offers instant offense and spacing. Brown, familiar to Nuggets fans from their title team, brings grit and glue-guy intangibles.

Valanciunas adds size and rebounding, giving Denver a sturdier frontcourt rotation behind Jokic.

And then there’s Kessler Edwards, a low-key pickup later in the summer who could quietly become a valuable rotation piece. He’s a versatile wing with defensive upside – exactly the kind of depth you want when the season stretches into May and June.

Put it all together, and Denver looks deeper, more balanced, and arguably more dangerous than they were a year ago. The front office deserves credit for making aggressive, targeted moves – especially the swap that brought in Johnson.

Analysts around the league have taken notice. Bill Simmons called it a “miracle” fit.

Zach Lowe said the Nuggets hit a “home run.” That’s not just hyperbole – it’s recognition of how seamlessly Johnson fits into Denver’s system and culture.

Of course, everything in Denver still starts and ends with Nikola Jokic. The two-time MVP continues to redefine what a center can do.

If he maintains his current form – or somehow finds another gear – the Nuggets are going to be a nightmare matchup all over again. But now, Jokic has a wing in Johnson who can hit threes, guard multiple positions, and make smart reads.

That’s a scary combination.

So while the Western Conference isn’t getting any easier, the Nuggets aren’t backing down. They’ve reloaded with intent, and with Cam Johnson in the fold, they may have found the missing piece to another title run.