By R.L. Bynum
Cameron Johnson isn’t looking back.
After a summer trade that sent him from the Brooklyn Nets to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 first-round pick, the 6–8 forward is focused on what’s ahead with a fresh start in the Mile High City and a chance to help them get to the NBA Finals after falling in the Western Conference finals last season.
What will success look like for him?
“Just do what I do on a nightly basis,” the former Carolina star said Monday at the team’s media day in Denver. “Bring an element of shot-making, an element of defending, and just being a connector, somebody that the team trusts, the coaches trust, that my teammates trust, and trying to spin that to as many wins as possible.”
Johnson arrives in Denver with momentum, coming off the best season of his six-year NBA career in scoring average (18.8 points per game), field-goal percentage (31.6%), free-throw percentage (89.3%) and assists (3.4 per game) while shooting 39% from 3-point range.
Johnson has placed renewed emphasis on staying on the floor after playing 57 games and is hoping for more success next season.
“77 plus,” said Johnson, who will make $22.5 million this season, said of his goal for games played. “Some of it [last year] was circumstantial, some of it was unfortunate, but I’m definitely looking to exceed that 75 mark and be available. I think that’s a big thing. And I did a lot in the offseason to make sure that I’ll be in a position to do that.”
Availability is one piece, but fit might be just as important. Johnson has already jumped into Denver’s summer workouts, getting a head start on chemistry with Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and the rest of the Nuggets’ core.
Denver Coach David Adelman sees Johnson as a natural fit in the Nuggets’ system.
“I think he just plays the game the right way,” Adelman said. “He fits the style that we’ve played over the years.”
Adelman noted how Johnson’s time in Brooklyn helped shape his game, allowing him to take on a bigger ball-handling and creation role.
“In Brooklyn, they didn’t win a lot of games, but he had the chance to put the ball in his hand a lot,” Adelman said.
He contrasted that with Johnson’s Phoenix days, where he was “kind of a two-dribble, three-dribble max guy,” playing alongside stars like Devin Booker and Chris Paul.
“Sometimes player development happens in games and different teams you play for in different seasons,” Adelman said. “Cam’s an exciting, and just such a high-IQ, basketball player.”
The Nuggets expect Johnson to bring both scoring punch and playmaking to a team that thrives on unselfish, read-and-react basketball. It’s a style he’s ready for.
“It was fun actually being able to be put in those situations and try to figure out how to score, how to generate shots for my teammates, and how to keep the offense moving,” he said, reflecting on his expanded role in Brooklyn. “What I’ll do here, I’ll play my game, try to complement the guys that we have, and at the end of the day, it’s all about winning, man, so just do whatever it takes to win.”
The Nuggets hope that Johnson has the ability to bridge Jokić and Murray’s two-man game, which will make their offense even more dynamic.
“Actually getting in the game, getting pick-and-roll reps all game, getting handoff reps all game, and learning what’s working and what’s not. That was really beneficial for me,” he said. “So just taking that knowledge and being able to use it when it’s necessary, when it’s needed, just combining those elements. Not necessarily forcing anything, letting the game come to myself, and then again, just playing off the guys that we have.”
Away from the court, Johnson is easing into life in Denver, playing a little golf in what he says is a “cool” city.
“Everybody in this building has been great so far, and I’m excited to be here,” Johnson said.
That positive energy seems to mirror what he’s found in the Nuggets’ locker room.
“Guys get along pretty well,” he said. “Doesn’t really matter who’s in the locker room at any given moment, who’s on the court at any given moment, it’s lively. People are talking, conversing and having fun, and that’s awesome to have.”
Johnson’s versatility with his ability to shoot, defend multiple positions, and connect the offense is what made Denver eager to acquire him in the first place. And he prides himself on that adaptability.
“That’s one of the things I pride myself on, being able to do a lot of things on the court, being able to fill a lot of roles and being able to complement whoever else we have out there,” he said.
If it all comes together — the shooting, the playmaking, the availability — Johnson could prove to be the missing piece in Denver’s push for another title. He’s seen good teams in Phoenix and bad teams in Brooklyn.
“One thing that I’ve seen is that when a system is adopted throughout the team, and a culture is adopted throughout the team, from top to bottom, one to 15, everybody knows their role, everybody knows what they’re supposed to do,” he said. “That is the base of it, and then talent takes you the rest of the way.”
Tar Heels in NBA camps
Cole Anthony, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 25 | 6–2, 185 | 6th season | $2.67 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string point guard behind Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins
Season statistics — 27 games, 6.5 points, 42.8 FG%, 28.5 3P%, 59.1 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists
Team record: 15–20, 11th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: Wizards 114, Bucks 113, Friday: Bucks 122, Hornets 121 and Sunday: Bucks 115 (at) Kings 98— Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 10 p.m. Wednesday at Golden State
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 33 | 6–7, 225 | 14th season | $19 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting power forward ahead of Keldon Johnson
Season statistics — 35 games, 12.0 points, 45.1 FG%, 38.1 3P%, 88.6 FT%, 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 25–10, 2nd in Western Conference
Wednesday: Spurs 134, Knicks 132 — Started; 25:45, 7 points, 2–6 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3–4 FT, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls
Friday: Spurs 123, (at) Pacers 113 — Started; 21:00, 5 points, 1–7 FG, 1–6 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, -15
Saturday: Trail Blazers 115, Spurs 110 — Started; 31:54, 14 points, 5–11 FG, 2–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +4
Next game — 8 p.m. Tuesday at Memphis
Tony Bradley, Indiana Pacers center
Age 27 | 6–10, 248 | seventh pro season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string center behind Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson
Season statistics — 29 games, 3.9 points, 56.3 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 72.7 FT%, 2.6 rebounds
Team record: 6–30, 15th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: Magic 112, Pacers 110 — 11:42, 0–2 FG, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -9
Friday: Spurs 123, Pacers 113 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Sunday: (at) Magic 135, Pacers 127 — 7:11, 1 rebound, 1 block, +1
Next game — 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. Cleveland
Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets forward
Age 29 | 6–8, 210 | 7th season | $22.54 million salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of Tim Hardaway Jr.
Season statistics — 28 games, 11.7 points, 46.1 FG%, 42.9 3P%, 81.0 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 23–12, 3rd in Western Conference
Out for at least a month with a bone bruise and hyperextended right knee
Caleb Love, Portland Trail Blazers guard
Age 24 | 6–3, 212 | Rookie season | Two-way contract | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Backup point guard behind Deni Avdija/fourth-string 2 guard
Season statistics — 28 games, 9.9 points, 38.0 FG%, 32.1 3P%, 74.2 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 16–20, 9th in Western Conference
Wednesday: (at) Thunder 124, Blazers 95 — Didn’t start; 30:08, 10 points, 4–12 FG, 2–7 3FG, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, -11
Friday: Blazers 122, (at) Pelicans 109 — Didn’t start; 27:33, 22 points, 7–13 FG, 6–11 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +3
Saturday: Blazers 115, (at) Spurs 110 — Didn’t start; 27:55, 16 points, 6–13 FG, 3–9 3FG, 1–4 FG, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, -4
Next game — 10 p.m. Monday vs. Utah
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 20 | 6–5, 195 | Rookie season | 4-year NBA rookie contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup 2 guard behind Terance Mann
Season statistics — 24 games, 6.3 points, 48.1 FG%, 36.0 3FG%, 90.3 FT%, 1.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists
Team record: 11–22, 13th in Eastern Conference
Thursday: Rockets 120, Nets 97 — Started; 25:19, 8 points, 3–9 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1–3 FT, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -25
Friday: (at) Wizards 119, Nets 99 — Didn’t start; 21:41, 14 points, 5–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 3–3 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 turnover, -17
Sunday: Nets 127, Nuggets 115 — Didn’t start; 17:31, 5 points, 1–3 FG, 1–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 assist, 1 foul, -2
Next game — 7:30 Wednesday vs. Orlando
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 24 | 6–9, 265 | 5th season | $6.25 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup center behind Nic Claxton
Season statistics — 32 games, 7.6 points, 60.5 FG%, 23.1 3P%, 64.6 FT%, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 11–22, 13th in Eastern Conference
Thursday: Rockets 120, Nets 97 — 19:11, 8 points 4–6 FG, 0–1 3FG, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 1 foul, -2
Friday: (at) Wizards 119, Nets 99 — Started; 29:51, 14 points, 6–12 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2–3 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -13
Sunday: Nets 127, Nuggets 115 — Started; 32:06, 17 points, 6–9 FG, 0–1 3FG, 5–8 FT, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, +17
Next game — 7:30 Wednesday vs. Orlando
Coby White, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 25 | 6–4, 195 | 7th season | $12.88 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting shooting guard ahead of Ayo Dosunmu
Season statistics — 16 games, 19.2 points, 44.5 FG%, 32.4 3PFG, 79.6 FT%, 3.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists
Team record: 17–18, 9th in Eastern Conference
Out with right calf strain
Out for season
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (torn labrum in left shoulder); season statistics: 5 games, 14.4 points, 70.3 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.8 blocks
Leaky Black, Capital City Go-Go (Wizards) guard
Age 26 | 6–6, 209 | 3rd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 19 games, 10.9 points, 44.4 FG%, 28.0 3P%, 69.6 FT%, 7.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.0 steals
Team record: 3–2, 5th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 6–8, fifth in East Division
Thursday: Capital City 139, Westchester Knicks 90 — Started; 29 minutes, 13 points, 5–9 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1–2 FT, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 foul, 5 steals, 2 blocks, +39
Saturday: (at) Maine Celtics 112, Capital City 109 — Started; 35 minutes, 15 points, 4–10 FG, 4–9 3FG, 1–3 FT, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 2 turnovers, +9
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Motor City Cruise, ESPN+
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 17 games, 5.2 points, 43.8 FG%, 36.4 3P%, 53.8 FT%, 5.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.4 of a block
Team record: 4–4, 8th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 5–7, seventh in South Division
Tuesday: Birmingham 132, (at) College Park Skyhawks — 14 minutes, 7 points, 3–7 FG, 1–3 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +15
Thursday: (at) College Park Skyhawks 107, Birmingham 83 — 23 minutes, 7 points, 2–5 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 1 turnover, -9
Saturday: Birmingham 110, (at) Delaware Blue Coats 108 — 20 minutes, 6 points, 2–5 FG, 2–3 3FG, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, +12
Sunday: (at) Delaware Blue Coats 130, Birmingham 94 — 31 minutes, 12 points, 5–8 FG, 2–4 3FG, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, -24
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Osceola Magic, ESPN +
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 17 games, 17.7 points, 43.5 FG%, 35.3 3P%, 87.2 FT%, 4.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steal
Team record: 3–1, tied for 2nd in Western Conference; finished Showcase Cup 7–7, fifth in West Division
Saturday: South Bay 125, Memphis Hustle 121 — Didn’t start; 12 minutes, 2 points, 0–3 FG, 1–1 FT, 4 assists, 2 fouls, -15
Next game — 10 p.m. Tuesday vs. Memphis Hustle, ESPN+
Harrison Ingram, Austin Spurs forward
Age 23 | 6–5, 230 | 2nd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Season NBA statistics — 3 games, 11 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +13
Season G League statistics — 11 games, 16.8 points, 53.0 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 61.5 FT%, 10.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals
Team record: 1–2, tied for 8th in Western Conference; finished Showcase Cup 12–2, first in South Division
Wednesday: Santa Cruz Warriors 111, Austin 102 and Friday: Santa Cruz Warriors 112, Austin 105 — Didn’t play
Next game — 7 p.m. Friday vs. South Bay Lakers, Roku Sports Channel
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Season G League statistics — 9 games, 19.4 points, 56.5 FG%, 42.6 3P%, 76.9 FT%, 7.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 blocks
Season NBA statistics — 9 games, 32 minutes, 18 points, 7–14 FG, 4–9 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Team record: 0–4, 16th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 4–10, eighth in Central Division
Tuesday: Cleveland Charge 115, Wisconsin 107 — Started; 36 minutes, 20 points, 7–16 FG, 2–7 3FG, 3–4 FT, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, -9
Saturday: Wisconsin 89, (at) Stockton Kings 87 — Started; 34 minutes, 11 points, 5–14, 0–1 3FG, 1–1 FT, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 foul, 1 steal, 3 blocks, +6
Next game — 7 p.m. Tuesday at Cleveland Charge, ESPN+
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 11 games, 19.3 points, 50.3 FG%, 36.1 3P%, 98.3 FT%, 4.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists
Team record: 0–4, 16th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 4–10, eighth in Central Division
Tuesday: Cleveland Charge 115, Wisconsin 107 — Started; 35 minutes, 32 points, 12–17 FG, 3–8 3FG, 4–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers, -7
Saturday: Wisconsin 89, (at) Stockton Kings 87 — Started; 37 minutes, 22 points, 6–13 FG, 2–6 3FG, 6–7 FT, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 fouls, 3 steals, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +13
Next game — 7 p.m. Tuesday at Cleveland Charge, ESPN+
Photo via YouTube screenshot
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