New Trade Suitor Emerges for Cam Johnson of the Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are trying to accomplish two main things this summer: re-sign RFA Peyton Watson, and somehow get under the second apron. To that end, they'll need to do some roster surgery to free up some money, and Cam Johnson and his $23 million owed next season is acknowledged as the most likely cap casualty.
Several teams that had been interested in Johnson may have fallen by the wayside: The LA Lakers have made some significant signings in free agency, including Sandro Mamukelashvili at power forward (one of Johnson's main positions), and Quentin Grimes and Ziaire Williams at small forward (Johnson's other spot).
The LA Clippers have potentially swapped Kawhi Leonard for Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick (whether that trade sticks is still up in the air, however). Whether they could look to get involved in a Cam Johnson acquisition would have to wait until the NBA's investigation is completed, and the trade with the Raptors is either a go, or a no.
The Boston Celtics have made the massive move of trading Jaylen Brown for Paul George, so how that affects their interest in Johnson is unknown.
The Miami Heat and Orlando Magic are still in need of floor spacers to take the heat off their primary scorers Giannis Antetokounmpo and Paolo Banchero, respectively, so they might still be interested.
But a new team has just been linked to Johnson as well:
The Bucks could emerge as a potential landing spot for Cam Johnson if the Nuggets move the veteran forward this offseason.
— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) July 13, 2026
Milwaukee has a surplus of guards, while Denver lacks backcourt depth and may prefer to cut costs, especially if the team re-signs Peyton Watson.
The Milwaukee Bucks, as Jake Weinbach notes, have a surplus of guards, with the acquisitions of Tyler Herro, Caris LeVert and the re-signing of Gary Trent Jr. (at a suspiciously astronomical contract), to go along with Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr.
And the Nuggets could use some backcourt depth. It could be a good match.
