There has been plenty of buzz surrounding Denver’s offseason, with the most notable move being the trade that sent longtime Nugget Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cameron Johnson. The excitement from fans is understandable. Moving off MPJ’s contract was a crucial step in resetting the roster and adding more depth around Nikola Jokic. It allowed the team to upgrade a previously unproductive roster spot, turning Dario Saric potentially into a valuable backup big in Jonas Valanciunas. Yet it should never be forgotten how instrumental Porter Jr. was for the most successful period in Nuggets history.
Thank You for Everything, MPJ
Michael Porter Jr. is often labeled as a shoot-first luxury player, but that reputation greatly oversimplifies his game and overlooks the hard work he’s put in to become a key contributor during the Nuggets rise into becoming a championship-caliber team. Few young players — especially those who entered the league with as much hype as he did out of high school — have been as willing to adapt and sacrifice individual accolades for the success of a team to such an extent. Porter Jr.’s journey has been shaped not only by his perseverance through several injuries, but also by a rare maturity that has made him an essential part of this Denver Nuggets’ core.
Instead of chasing personal stats, he embraced a role that prioritized team success—an impressive level of selflessness that might surprise casual observers who believe he shoots every time he gets the ball and has never passed in his career.
A Career Shaped by Adversity
MPJ’s NBA journey began with uncertainty. Concerns over a lingering back injury caused him to slip in the draft, ultimately landing in Denver with the 14th overall pick—a significant drop for someone once considered the top prospect in his class. Fortunately, the Nuggets didn’t view him as the franchise savior from day one, which allowed them to take a patient and long-term approach focused on preserving his health and maximizing his potential. They gave the talented young forward all the time he needed to recover, showing patience even when it became clear he would miss his entire rookie season. His road to reliable game fitness was not easy, and it took years of careful management before he was consistently healthy enough to contribute on a nightly basis.
Playing under a demanding coach like Michael Malone made the climb even steeper. The old school coach valued effort and winning basketball over flashy stats, which meant that MPJ had to earn his minutes, often playing behind less talented but more reliable veterans like Torrey Craig or Will Barton. But to his credit, Porter Jr. didn’t pout or demand special treatment. He put his head down and worked hard doing his best to earn his starting spot.
Breakout Season and Evolution
MPJ’s breakout came in the 2020-21 season. With Jamal Murray sidelined due to his ACL injury, the Nuggets leaned heavily on the forward to replace the offensive firepower they lost with their star guard. He responded by averaging 19 points per game with excellent shooting efficiency, providing much-needed scoring support alongside Jokic. While his defense was still a work in progress, he started to find his footing, making an impact—particularly on the glass—where his exceptional length became a real asset.
However, the playoffs exposed some of MPJ’s lingering limitations. Inconsistent scoring and defensive struggles made for a challenging postseason, particularly in the first-round series against the Blazers, where Damian Lillard repeatedly targeted him. While his box score numbers looked solid on the surface, MPJ understood that he needed to grow if he wanted to help the Nuggets take the next step toward true championship contention. Instead of resting on his impressive boxscore statistics, he made the mature choice to evolve his game, even if it came at the cost of his scoring numbers. Unfortunately, another back injury sidelined him for nearly the entire 2021-22 season, putting that evolution on hold.
Sacrifice Over Stats
Many young players might have grown frustrated after seeing their offensive role diminished, especially with Murray’s return, which firmly positioned MPJ as the third option on offense. Instead, he embraced the challenge, committing himself to becoming a more complete player. He doubled down on defense and fully embraced a system that asked him to stay active on that end while serving as a finisher on offense within a team built around unselfish, pass-first players.
To outside observers, his low assist numbers might suggest selfishness — but that couldn’t be further from the truth. On a team with Jokic, Murray, and Aaron Gordon — three excellent playmakers — MPJ had to be the play-finisher. Whether spotting up from deep, cutting to the rim, or posting up smaller defenders, he provided a crucial scoring outlet that was essential for this Nuggets offense.
The Unfortunate Ending that lead to the Michael Porter Jr. Trade
In a perfect world, this Nuggets core could’ve stayed together and built a dynasty. But injuries and declining playoff performances from both Murray and Porter Jr.— paired with their sizable contracts — made that dream unrealistic.
While MPJ’s offensive struggles in this year’s playoffs were largely the result of his shoulder injury, his noticeable regression on defense was more concerning. Even during the Nuggets’ championship run, he struggled with inconsistency and was often benched in crunch time in favor of Bruce Brown. With Jokic still in his prime, the Nuggets couldn’t afford to wait and hope for improvement, so they made the difficult decision to move on, ultimately leading to the trade of Porter Jr.
A Legacy Worth Remembering
Still, let’s not allow a difficult ending to overshadow everything Michael Porter Jr. accomplished in Denver.
He was a vital part of the team’s first-ever NBA championship. His chemistry with Jokic was special, his impact undeniable, and his growth as a player admirable. He matured into someone who didn’t just score, he became a championship-caliber player.
Despite the trade, Porter Jr. leaves Denver as a franchise legend. For everything he gave to this team and this city, Nuggets Nation owes him a sincere and heartfelt thank you. So with all that being said…
Thank you for everything, MPJ.
Photo credit: © Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
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