The Utah Jazz don't have much need for Cameron Johnson at the moment. Not that he wouldn't be a nice addition to the roster, but he's a 3/4, and Utah will likely have Lauri Markkanen and Ace Bailey man most of the minutes on the wing while Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. man most of the minutes at power forward.
Adding Johnson would give them an embarrassment of riches when really their focus could be getting another center, and that's if that's what they are looking for. However, if Utah is looking for that, there is a way they could do that while helping Denver move Johnson.
Because the Denver Nuggets are above the NBA's second tax apron, they will do everything they can to move Johnson to save enough money to get below it. It's only a few million, but Denver also probably wants to make sure there's no risk of crossing it again (i.e., being several million below it).
No, Devner doesn't have an expendable center that would intrigue Utah (though no one would be opposed to getting Nikola Jokic into a Jazz uniform), but Dallas does in Daniel Gafford, and while he's not available right now, Cleveland could be in the future with Jarrett Allen.
How Utah could make a deal work with either side
Sports Illustrated's Art Cummings already illustrated how the Jazz could get their hands on Allen in a blockbuster deal involving Cameron Johnson.
#LetMeCook pic.twitter.com/HjG0yexjkE
— Art Cummings (@ArtTakesNote) July 28, 2026
This is a good start, but neither the Nuggets nor Cavaliers are interested in young talent, but Dallas is. In fact, as tough as four-team deals are, the young and rebuilding Mavericks would be a perfect team would be a perfect fourth team because they are looking for young talent and probably will try to find a new home for Gafford.
There could absolutely be a deal where the Cavaliers get Johnson and Gafford, the Mavericks get Cody Williams, Brice Sensabaugh, Svi Mykahiluk (via TPE, who they would waive) and Kyle Filipowski, the Nuggets get John Konchar and Jalen Tyson, while the Jazz get Allen.
Some would point out that it might not be in Utah's best interest to help Cleveland with what the Cavaliers still owe the Jazz. Well, if any trade helps the Jazz's immediate future, then come what may. Besides, the Cavaliers' desperation is starting to amplify itself a bit, and it could get worse.
Odds are that none of these teams are in a rush to make a blockbuster trade like this (Denver doesn't have to get under the second apron until the trade deadline next year), but as the season unfolds, and it's clear a trade like this would help, don't be surprised if something like this could be agreed to.
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