The Nuggets‘ new front office made several significant additions this summer in an effort to rebuild a championship-level roster. Among those impressed by the moves is power forward Aaron Gordon, who shared his excitement in an interview this week with Malika Andrews on NBA Today (hat tip to The Sports Rush).
Denver sent Michael Porter Jr. to Brooklyn in a trade for Cameron Johnson, and acquired backup center Jonas Valanciunas from Sacramento in a separate deal. The team also added shooting by signing free agent swingman Tim Hardaway Jr.
“That’s a squad, especially with Big Val too,” Gordon said. “Big Val is gonna hold that down. That’s a boy. We got a squad.”
The move that Gordon is most excited about is the return of versatile swingman Bruce Brown, who was also added in free agency. Brown was an important member of the 2023 title team and was used at several positions.
“Brucey B is back. Uh-oh. Might be problems for y’all, Brucey B is back,” Gordon said.
Gordon, who celebrated his 30th birthday on Tuesday, is coming off a typically productive season that saw him average 14.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 51 games. He has fully recovered from the hamstring injury that limited his effectiveness in Games 6 and 7 of the Western Conference semifinals loss to Oklahoma City.
Gordon, who has developed an on-court chemistry with Nikola Jokic since being traded to Denver in 2021, also talked about the privilege of playing alongside the perennial MVP candidate every night.
“He’s amazing … to get to play around one of the best players, if not the best player of all-time,” Gordon said. “It’s the gravity that Joker has. I think we have a great understanding of each other on and off the basketball floor. You guys are gonna see that flourish.”
Yeah Denver won big time this off season
The Nuggets are gonna be hard to stop…
They have the pieces to play anyway now…
Now trade Zeke Nnaji, Pickett, Tyson and picks to Brooklyn for a 2nd and a bag of chips
Then it would be a A+ off season
Solid. BB got his money, maybe now he can play again for wins?
Cameron Johnson was the big move. He makes their starting 5 better. He plays D and is a solid team guy.
Then they added solid vets and scoring to bench. They are a deep team. I like the Rockets. Cause I like their young players, still growing. Honestly I think Denver is the team to beat. The West is going to be a war man. Nuggets, Thunder, Rockets
100% agree with you Al. Cam Johnson is going to fit like a glove on that team. Denver cleaned up this offseason. It’s them and OKC for me as top two until proven otherwise in the west.
I’ll be the spoiler. Cam Johnson is solid but he doesn’t make the Nuggets better. Let’s talk in 6 months.
It made sense for Nuggets to get off Michael Porter Jr’s bad contract but Cam Johnson is not an upgrade. He’s 29 and has had 1 good season playing mostly garbage time for a terrible team. He gets hurt EVERY year. You cannot count on him. He’s smart but he’s not athlete.
Criticize MPJr all you want but he is an elite floor spacer.
MPJ played no D. He was an asset only when he was hitting his shot. Cam is so much better just as a fit. He does a bit of everything. And is hungry to win.
19 pts, 4.3 reb, 3.4 ast, .578% 2pt, .390% 3pt,
.90% FT …… 32 mins plays smart and plays D.
You will see it after 20 gms. Great addition.
Denver should have beat OKC last year if healthy…IMO
And would’ve won the Chip(if they beat Minny in the WCF) with last years roster which would have been Jokic’s greatest accomplishment to date..,
But would’ve Could’ve Should’ve…
I like the moves they made also and think they will be the team to beat as the year goes on and they become more acclimated with themselves…
Yes good point. Even hurt they were playing against Thunder. Denver added the most talent imo. Still have to prove it. They look deep.
Nuggets management probably doesn’t feel the same considering they couldn’t move him as well.
Gordon, “porter Jr was awful”