In the wake of the mega deal that made NBA history, everybody within the basketball world is wondering what could be the next big domino to fall.
The Denver Nuggets have featured amid the league’s trade chatter for the past couple of months, with ir reported they are eyeing another shot creator and scorer.
Zach LaVine was identified as their main target — instantly putting Michael Porter Jr. into the hot seat.
Porter Jr. had insisted he remained firm against the noise and distractions, focusing on the team. And his professionalism and sustained solid on-court performance finally paid off, with Michael Malone declaring he won’t and shouldn’t be dealt at Thursday’s deadline.
Holding a five-year rookie max contract which he earned in 2021, Porter Jr. is easily regarded as the Nuggets’ most coveted asset in potentially securing a blockbuster deal. He still has two years left, and its amount of nearly $80 million in total is highly significant for the team in landing a major swing.
As the LaVine rumors spread, all eyes were monitoring if Denver would ultimately deal Porter Jr. away in order to boost their title odds and maximize their window with reigning MVP Nikola Jokic.
But Porter Jr. kept his head and confidence high despite rumblings. This season has been solid for him, averaging 18.3 points in 51.3 percent shooting (40.8% from threes) to go with 6.4 boards and 2.2 assists.
He also remained healthy and available for Denver amid undergoing back surgeries from the past, playing in all regular season games thus far this 2024-25 while just missing one from last year.
After Porter Jr. dropped a season-high 36 points and seven triples to lead the Nuggets’ 125-113 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, head coach Michael Malone bluntly proclaimed that he and the Nuggets have no reasons to entertain a trade idea around the sweet shooting forward.
“We’re not trading Michael Porter Jr. … If there’s something coming, obviously, (general manager) Calvin (Booth) will talk with me, and I’m sure we’ll communicate with whatever players,” Malone said in postgame.
“But Michael is a really important piece. Michael helped us win a championship. We’ll see what happens going into this Thursday, but to my knowledge, there have been no [trade] conversations.
“I don’t feel the need to converse with somebody [about trade rumors] when there’s nothing there.”
It’s already safe to assume that Porter Jr. will remain in Denver beyond this year. On Sunday, the Chicago Bulls already dealt LaVine to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team transaction alongside the San Antonio Spurs.
Nevertheless, Porter Jr. already cemented his commitment to the Nuggets by aiding them to reclaim their throne atop the NBA.
“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.
“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.
“It’s nothing that I’m stressed about, anxious about. I let my agent have those conversations with our front office. From what I’ve heard, they’re not interested in moving me, but that can change.
“Regardless, I’m blessed to be able to play this game, and I’m blessed to be able to be here in Denver. I’m happy to be here, for sure.”
