The Denver Nuggets are trending in the wrong direction. They should trade away Michael Porter Jr. to fix their biggest issue.
The Nuggets won the NBA championship in 2023 but their title defence was underwhelming. They were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals last season.
Michael Malone’s team then lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Orlando Magic over the summer and have started the 2024 campaign 0-2.
NBA Analysis Network puts forward a trade involving Porter Jr. that would make them title contenders once again.
- Denver Nuggets receive: Keldon Johnson, Tre Jones, Malaki Branham
- San Antonio Spurs receive: Michael Porter Jr.
Michael Porter Jr. has started the 2024 season slowly (12 points per game) but he is not the problem with the Denver Nuggets.
Instead, the Nuggets’ biggest issue by far is their lack of depth. Their starting five is up there with the best in the NBA but they fall apart when the bench players come in.
Unfortunately for Porter Jr, he is the player who must make way for the Nuggets to return some valuable pieces. The above trade sees the 2023 champions replace him with Keldon Johnson.
Johnson averaged 22 points per game two seasons ago but now finds himself on the bench in San Antonio. He is clearly a downgrade on Porter Jr. but still a very capable player.
But the main reason that the Nuggets should pull off this trade is the additions of Tre Jones and Malaki Branham.
The pair are 24 and 21 years old, respectively, and would add much-needed energy and scoring punch to the Nuggets’ second unit.
What they would lose in the starting five would be made up in abundance with two bench players putting up around 10 points each in every game.
| Starters | Backups |
| Jamal Murray | Tre Jones |
| Christian Braun | Malaki Branham |
| Keldon Johnson | Julian Strawther |
| Aaron Gordon | Peyton Watson |
| Nikola Jokic | Dario Saric |
The San Antonio Spurs are currently in the opposite situation to the Nuggets. Depth is not an issue but they could do with an upgrade to their starting five.
Victor Wembanyama projects to be one of the best players in the world – if he is not already – but he will need a quality supporting cast to contend for a title.
The Spurs already have Devin Vassell and Porter Jr. has proved that he can be the third option on a title-winning team.
Not to mention, a huge frontcourt of Porter Jr. (6’10”), Jeremy Sochan (6’8”) and Wembanyama (7’3′) would be a matchup nightmare for opposing teams.
| Starters | Backups |
| Chris Paul | Stephon Castle |
| Devin Vassell | Julian Champagnie |
| Michael Porter Jr. | Harrison Barnes |
| Jeremy Sochan | Sidy Cissoko |
| Victor Wembanyama | John Collins |
Related Posts
