Key Takeaways:
– Denver Nuggets might consider trading Michael Porter Jr. in a bid to bolster their roster in the upcoming season.
– Porter Jr.’s poor performance in Game 7 and his family troubles have been cited as reasons for a potential trade.
– Porter Jr. is currently in the third year of his five-year, $207 million contract.
After a dismal end to their season, the Denver Nuggets are thought to be contemplating a significant shake-up to their roster. Among their considerations is a potential trade of Michael Porter Jr., their underperforming yet high-earning forward.
Urgent Roster Reconfiguration
Mark Kizla of the Denver Gazette recently laid out compelling arguments in favor of trading Porter Jr. In a May 20 story, Kizla wrote, “The Nuggets need to reconfigure the roster by trading Porter, who disappeared when the team needed him most against Minnesota.” Porter Jr.’s performance in Game 7 left much to be desired, scoring just nine points.
As per Kizla, one of Denver Nuggets’ major pitfalls in the past season was a lack of depth that eventually resulted in the team being unable to defend its title.
Weight of Porter’s Personal Troubles
Apart from Porter’s rocky performance, the young forward has also acknowledged that off-court familial issues have affected his game. His brother Jontay, a Toronto Raptors player, was banned for life by the NBA for engaging in betting, and another brother Corban, admitted guilt to vehicular homicide.
In a candid conversation with Kizla, Porter Jr. confessed to the effect this was having on his performance, though he maintained that it was no excuse for his lacklustre play.
Bearing Responsibility for Underperformance
After a less-than-stellar performance in Game 7 against the Timberwolves where Porter scored only seven points, he publicly shouldered responsibility, admitting to having a “terrible series.” He also apologised to his team. “I told my teammates sorry. I feel like this is on me,” he acknowledgement showed a level of accountability for his actions.
Nugget’s Offseason Decisions
As the Nuggets approach their offseason, some tough decisions are ahead. They will have to consider their position relative to the NBA’s second tax apron and contemplate player Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s future, set to become a free agent due to his player option for the 2024-25 season.
Porter himself is on a high-value contract, in the third year of a five-year, $207 million deal, which they could choose to use as leverage for better rotation pieces, a move that would free up their roster and resources.
Given Porter’s recent performance, complex personal situation and high-cost contract, a trade could offer the Nuggets a much-needed revamp of the team structure. Building a deeper rotation centred around Jokic might be Denver’s best move forward, even if it requires making Porter Jr. the odd man out.