In a stunning move, the Denver Nuggets fired coach Michael Malone with a few games remaining in the regular season, and many speculate more moves are coming via a trade or two in the offseason. According to Hardwood Paroxysm of The Denver Dig, “the most obvious pathway” to gain assets is to trade Michael Porter Jr. However, the trade market for Porter is reportedly cool, making a deal seem unlikely.
The Nuggets knew entering the year they were short on shooting. Booth said as much at media day. But he was unable to do anything at the deadline because he exhausted his second-round assets to dump Reggie Jackson to sign Russell Westbrook and the first-rounders had already been dealt. The young talent had no value.
Trading Michael Porter Jr. was the most obvious pathway, but sources say not only was the market cool on Porter for multiple reasons but ownership had said two months before the deadline they were against trading Porter.
Since getting drafted by the Nuggets in 2018, Porter has spent his entire NBA career with the team. Porter played a big role in bringing the Nuggets their first title in franchise history in 2023.
Major Trade Involving Denver Nuggets Champion Michael Porter Jr. Unlikely?
Michael Porter Jr. Has Clear Plans in Denver
Porter’s name came up as a potential trade candidate earlier this season. Ultimately, nothing came to fruition. Amidst the rumors, the Indiana native made it clear that his main priority is to help the Nuggets win as much as possible.
“As long as I’m here, I’m going to be here and I’m going to be happy and I’m going to play hard and try to be available and try to help win games,” Porter said after Monday’s game. “And then if the day came where they wanted to trade me and they wanted to go a different direction, then I’ll be excited for the new opportunity. But … it’s not something I think about at all.”
After this season, Porter will still have two years left on his five-year, $179.3 million contract. Porter is under contract for multiple years and seems committed to the team. However, given the sudden change in direction in Denver, a trade seems possible in the offseason.
The Last Word
With only a few games left in the regular season, the Nuggets are 47-32 and own the No. 5 seed in the West. They are only one game behind the No. 3 seed Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Nuggets are currently on a four-game losing streak and are losing momentum heading into the playoffs. As long as Nikola Jokic is available and healthy, the Nuggets should be considered title contenders. However, it is not looking great for them.
After winning a title two years ago, the Nuggets failed to make it to the conference finals last year. If they suffer another early exit in the playoffs this season, a trade could be inevitable. Whether that includes Porter or not, however, is something to monitor all summer.
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