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Cam Johnson heading to a recent NBA championship team in a major blockbuster deal

The former UNC basketball standout is heading back to the Western Conference.
ByNick Delahanty|
Dec 19, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson (2) reacts after making a three point basket against the Toronto Raptors in the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Dec 19, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson (2) reacts after making a three point basket against the Toronto Raptors in the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Cam Johnson is no stranger to be included in big-time NBA trades.

The former UNC basketball standout was one of the headliners sent to the Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster deal that sent Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns.

Now, two and a half years later, Johnson is once again on the move, returning to the Western Conference in hopes of helping this team get back to the NBA Finals.

Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Nets have traded Johnson to the Denver Nuggets. Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected first-round pick in the 2032 NBA Draft will be heading to Brooklyn as part of the deal.

As the Nets are in the process of a full rebuild, there was plenty of speculation that Johnson could be on the move this offseason. The now 29-year-old is coming off an impressive season in which he averaged 18.8 points per-game, making his two years at just over $21 million per-season a worthy trade chip for contenders to consider.

In Johnson's case, this landing spot is arguably the best possible outcome he could've asked for.

For starters, the Nuggets won an NBA title in 2023 but have failed to get back there since. Johnson provides them with a very steady and consistent scoring presence that can help take the team's offense to another level.

Additionally, the cast and crew that the Nuggets have in place is an enticing spot for anyone to want to play in. Johnson will certainly benefit from the playmakers around him, especially Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, as he definitely won't have to create the majority of his shot oppportunities as he did in Brooklyn.

When teams are honed in on Jokic and Murray, Johnson is going to have plenty of space to operate!

This was a big-time move on the first official day of NBA free agency, as the former UNC basketball star has found a new home. Based on the early thoughts on the deal, this is a major win for the Denver Nuggets, as they added a quality piece to bolster its roster for another potential championship run.

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