MPJ + FRP 31 for Cam Johnson

[Astaluego]

Simple 1 for 1...Denver gets the same archetype of player, but almost 20 million cheaper, which gives them some flexibility...
The Nets get the younger player and, above all, a high-variance future pick?

Thoughts? Maybe Denver gets the 27th pick this year to make more movement, with the new flexibility acquired? A 3rd team gets MPJ? Thoughts...and how would you continue this trade?

[TheNetsFan]

I don't think that the Nets would have interest in MPJ's $41mil cap hit in '26. My guess is they'd prefer to have '26 cap space, and that they can likely get at least a comparable pick & expiring salary from someone else.

[Texas Chuck]

yeah his number is just too big for a team that is likely to roll over cap space another year. The unprotected first is nice, but they can probably get a similar value asset for Johnson without having to take on such a big contract.

Amazing for Denver though who can use the difference in salary to add in another piece increasing their depth while not hurting their starting lineup.

[Godaddycurse]

yeah his number is just too big for a team that is likely to roll over cap space another year. The unprotected first is nice, but they can probably get a similar value asset for Johnson without having to take on such a big contract.

Amazing for Denver though who can use the difference in salary to add in another piece increasing their depth while not hurting their starting lineup.

Not sure its really that amazing for denver... paying an unprotected 2031 1st for MLE level player essentially. Seems steep

[Ron Swanson]

Was playing around with something like this where Milwaukee is the 3rd team.

DEN Out: MPJ, 2031 1st
DEN In: Cam Johnson, Pat Connaughton

BKN Out: Cam Johnson
BKN In: Kyle Kuzma, 2031 DEN 1st, 2031 MIL 2nd

MIL Out: Kuzma, Connaughton, 2031 2nd
MIL In: MPJ

[Texas Chuck]

yeah his number is just too big for a team that is likely to roll over cap space another year. The unprotected first is nice, but they can probably get a similar value asset for Johnson without having to take on such a big contract.

Amazing for Denver though who can use the difference in salary to add in another piece increasing their depth while not hurting their starting lineup.

Not sure its really that amazing for denver... paying an unprotected 2031 1st for MLE level player essentially. Seems steep

I have it as they turn an expensive injury risk guy with knucklhead tendencies for a similar level player making enough less for them to add in a rotation player. And with their superstar finally demanding help, I like the idea of making the team better rather than holding on to that pick for....

They would be better and have less risk and have more flexibility.

And while Nets fans have done Cam Johnson a huge disservice with their constant absurd valuations here, he would get more than the MLE on the open market. That's a bit reductive imo.

[Texas Chuck]

Was playing around with something like this where Milwaukee is the 3rd team.

DEN Out: MPJ, 2031 1st
DEN In: Cam Johnson, Pat Connaughton

BKN Out: Cam Johnson
BKN In: Kyle Kuzma, 2031 DEN 1st, 2031 MIL 2nd

MIL Out: Kuzma, Connaughton, 2031 2nd
MIL In: MPJ

Do you honestly believe the difference in value between Kuz/Pat C and Cam Johnson is one distant 2nd round pick? After the respective seasons they just had I don't believe you ever get teams to bite at that valuation.

[Ron Swanson]

Was playing around with something like this where Milwaukee is the 3rd team.

DEN Out: MPJ, 2031 1st
DEN In: Cam Johnson, Pat Connaughton

BKN Out: Cam Johnson
BKN In: Kyle Kuzma, 2031 DEN 1st, 2031 MIL 2nd

MIL Out: Kuzma, Connaughton, 2031 2nd
MIL In: MPJ

Do you honestly believe the difference in value between Kuz/Pat C and Cam Johnson is one distant 2nd round pick? After the respective seasons they just had I don't believe you ever get teams to bite at that valuation.

Uhhh, what? The valuation is Denver paying a 2031 unprotected 1st to turn MPJ into the better player and actually saving them money in the long run. Milwaukee is just stepping in and taking the salary neither team wants here.

[Texas Chuck]

Was playing around with something like this where Milwaukee is the 3rd team.

DEN Out: MPJ, 2031 1st
DEN In: Cam Johnson, Pat Connaughton

BKN Out: Cam Johnson
BKN In: Kyle Kuzma, 2031 DEN 1st, 2031 MIL 2nd

MIL Out: Kuzma, Connaughton, 2031 2nd
MIL In: MPJ

Do you honestly believe the difference in value between Kuz/Pat C and Cam Johnson is one distant 2nd round pick? After the respective seasons they just had I don't believe you ever get teams to bite at that valuation.

Uhhh, what? The valuation is Denver paying a 2031 unprotected 1st to turn MPJ into the better player and actually saving them money in the long run. Milwaukee is just stepping in and taking the salary neither team wants here.

I totally misread this lol. My bad.

[Astaluego]

I don't think that the Nets would have interest in MPJ's $41mil cap hit in '26. My guess is they'd prefer to have '26 cap space, and that they can likely get at least a comparable pick & expiring salary from someone else.

I understand that MPJ is overpaid, but I think his poor playoff performance (with a destroyed shoulder) overshadows the fact that he is a 6'9 wing at just 27 years old, a key piece on a championship team with a 40% 3-point shooting in his career, who has played 77 and 81 games the last 2 seasons, I think the NETS could trade him for contracts that easily expire at the deadline, plus he only has 2 seasons left on his contract... plus that Denver 31st pick could be Gold with a 36 year old Jokic who is probably enjoying his horses at that time...

[Godaddycurse]

yeah his number is just too big for a team that is likely to roll over cap space another year. The unprotected first is nice, but they can probably get a similar value asset for Johnson without having to take on such a big contract.

Amazing for Denver though who can use the difference in salary to add in another piece increasing their depth while not hurting their starting lineup.

Not sure its really that amazing for denver... paying an unprotected 2031 1st for MLE level player essentially. Seems steep

I have it as they turn an expensive injury risk guy with knucklhead tendencies for a similar level player making enough less for them to add in a rotation player. And with their superstar finally demanding help, I like the idea of making the team better rather than holding on to that pick for....

They would be better and have less risk and have more flexibility.

And while Nets fans have done Cam Johnson a huge disservice with their constant absurd valuations here, he would get more than the MLE on the open market. That's a bit reductive imo.

no im not saying cam is a MLE level player himself. i'm saying this trade is turning MPJ + 1st into Cam + MLE player (w/ extra space freed up). On Court i have Cam and MPJ as a wash as you said, so they are paying an unprotected 1st for the extra production of an MLE player basically?

[Texas Chuck]

no im not saying cam is a MLE level player himself. i'm saying this trade is turning MPJ + 1st into Cam + MLE player (w/ extra space freed up). On Court i have Cam and MPJ as a wash as you said, so they are paying an unprotected 1st for the extra production of an MLE player basically?

Gotcha

I think one part of our difference is I have the MPJ for Cam portion a win for the Nuggets beyond just the finances. So I don't see the addition as just the MLE level guy. If you don't see the added value I do, then yeah.

[Godaddycurse]

no im not saying cam is a MLE level player himself. i'm saying this trade is turning MPJ + 1st into Cam + MLE player (w/ extra space freed up). On Court i have Cam and MPJ as a wash as you said, so they are paying an unprotected 1st for the extra production of an MLE player basically?

Gotcha

I think one part of our difference is I have the MPJ for Cam portion a win for the Nuggets beyond just the finances. So I don't see the addition as just the MLE level guy. If you don't see the added value I do, then yeah.

Ya Cam is better on defense but his health leaves alot to be desired. On offense they offer similar level of shooting/spacing so overall i have it closer to a wash. I see your point though if you think they are upgrading 2 positions instead of just one.

[TheNetsFan]

I don't think that the Nets would have interest in MPJ's $41mil cap hit in '26. My guess is they'd prefer to have '26 cap space, and that they can likely get at least a comparable pick & expiring salary from someone else.

I understand that MPJ is overpaid, but I think his poor playoff performance (with a destroyed shoulder) overshadows the fact that he is a 6'9 wing at just 27 years old, a key piece on a championship team with a 40% 3-point shooting in his career, who has played 77 and 81 games the last 2 seasons, I think the NETS could trade him for contracts that easily expire at the deadline, plus he only has 2 seasons left on his contract... plus that Denver 31st pick could be Gold with a 36 year old Jokic who is probably enjoying his horses at that time...

It's an opportunity cost assessment. I think the value is fair, but the Nets could have a ton of '26 cap space & could be a big FA player in a pretty good FA class. Are they willing to give a lot of that cap space up for a 2031 FRP? Unlikely if they believe they can get a similar pick with just expiring contracts coming back, albeit expiring deals attached to less talented players

[Ron Swanson]

I think there was a ton of overvaluation of Cam Johnson that may have caused Brooklyn to pass on some solid deals just because they weren't meeting their objectively high asking price (two "good" first round picks). The reality is, he's a very good starter level player, but soon to turn 30 and coming off a career best season. He doesn't really factor into Brooklyn's future plans unless they're gonna really go for it starting this offseason, so it feels like a pretty risky gamble for them to not sell at this point when his value has peaked. I don't think it'll be too hard to find a 3rd team for MPJ.

[drchaos]

Easy no for Brooklyn.

Can J is worth a pick by himself.

Taking on that huge contract would require additional compensation (a lot of it).

[BelgradeNugget]

Was playing around with something like this where Milwaukee is the 3rd team.

DEN Out: MPJ, 2031 1st
DEN In: Cam Johnson, Pat Connaughton

BKN Out: Cam Johnson
BKN In: Kyle Kuzma, 2031 DEN 1st, 2031 MIL 2nd

MIL Out: Kuzma, Connaughton, 2031 2nd
MIL In: MPJ

In this case It should be MIL 2031 1st going to BKN. MPJ at worst is as good as Cam Johnson, Kyle Kuzma is terrble and Pat Connaughton is useless (was for MIL)

First option provides $18M in cap space for Denver (it doesn't work in Sportac BTW) and 12 mil under 1st Apron to sign player to improve bench (preferable backup C). In your proposal they get Connaughton, not good, on position they don't need. MIL gets the best player in a deal, overpaid, but good.

[Astaluego]

Easy no for Brooklyn.

Can J is worth a pick by himself.

Taking on that huge contract would require additional compensation (a lot of it).

Cam is almost 4 years older, oddly enough he is more prone to injury (by a considerable margin) while MPJ is a much better rebounder and has better scoring numbers, plus here the NETS are receiving an unprotected high potential FRP. I definitely think the difference in value is not as big as you think.

[facothomas22]

I guess it depends if the Nets value Michael Porter Jr? The Nets likely value Cam Johnson as a late lottery pick,so this offer from the Nuggets feels weak.

[Ron Swanson]

Was playing around with something like this where Milwaukee is the 3rd team.

DEN Out: MPJ, 2031 1st
DEN In: Cam Johnson, Pat Connaughton

BKN Out: Cam Johnson
BKN In: Kyle Kuzma, 2031 DEN 1st, 2031 MIL 2nd

MIL Out: Kuzma, Connaughton, 2031 2nd
MIL In: MPJ

In this case It should be MIL 2031 1st going to BKN. MPJ at worst is as good as Cam Johnson, Kyle Kuzma is terrble and Pat Connaughton is useless (was for MIL)

First option provides $18M in cap space for Denver (it doesn't work in Sportac BTW) and 12 mil under 1st Apron to sign player to improve bench (preferable backup C). In your proposal they get Connaughton, not good, on position they don't need. MIL gets the best player in a deal, overpaid, but good.

Uhhh, no. We can maybe debate who's the better player in a vacuum, but you're not getting the 3rd team to pay the asset cost AND take on the worse contract between the two. This is of course dependent on the idea that the Nuggets want to save on tax/payroll and view Johnson as a better fit/player. If they don't value Cam Johnson then this deal is DOA.