Tar Heel Alum Involved in Major Trade Monday Night
This NBA offseason has already been eventful for prominent former North Carolina Tar Heels, and Monday night brought more big news. As free agency kicked off, Cam Johnson was part of a significant trade that sent him to a recent champion alongside arguably the best player in the league, aiming to keep their title window open.
Johnson is headed to Denver to join Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. While Denver captured the 2023 NBA championship, they’ve been eliminated in the Western Conference semifinals the past two years. By adding Johnson, they get a high-level 3-and-D wing who should be an excellent complement to Jokic and Jamal Murray.
For Johnson, it’s almost like moving into a mansion compared to where he’s been. The Nets were stuck in limbo, unlikely to contend anytime soon, and any serious rebuild in Brooklyn probably wouldn’t take shape until later in his career. Now, he joins a true contender, where he may not be the first, second, or third scoring option but will still play an important role on a team with a real shot at more championships over the next few seasons.
Looking at this deal objectively, it seems beneficial for both sides. Johnson and Michael Porter Jr. are fairly similar in talent, but Johnson’s contract is more team-friendly and his skill set likely meshes better with Denver’s roster.
From Brooklyn’s perspective, the move aligns with their rebuilding plans. They’re clearly leaning toward a tank, and absorbing Porter Jr.’s hefty contract isn’t a big concern for a team not trying to win right away. They can let him put up numbers and potentially trade him again later. Plus, they picked up a first-round draft choice that could become valuable if Denver declines after the Jokic era.
For UNC fans, this trade is especially exciting. After being drafted higher than expected, Johnson has established himself as a strong pro, even helping the Phoenix Suns reach the NBA Finals earlier in his career. Although the Nets made the playoffs during his time there, it was tough watching him on a team heading in the wrong direction. Now, there’s a good chance he’ll be back in big postseason games, giving Tar Heel fans plenty to cheer about.
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