Despite the overwhelming league chatter and rumblings about his future within the Denver Nuggets, Michael Porter Jr. couldn’t care less about his inclusion on the recent trade rumors.
“It’s a part of the game. I don’t get frustrated or taking it personally,” Porter Jr. said after a solid 24-point performance in the Nuggets’ dominant 117-90 Monday home victory against the Phoenix Suns. “I know it’s a part of the business.
“There’s a lot of good players in the NBA. And I’ve been blessed to be here for seven years and the Nuggets took a chance on me. I’ve been blessed to win a championship here and I’ve been blessed to develop some great relationships with coaches and players.”
“I’ve grown as a player so when stuff like this comes up, I don’t take it personally.”
From the past few days, Porter Jr.’s name has generated the loudest noise in the entire NBA when reports suggested that the Nuggets are in a hunt for a potential big-time transaction.
As the Nuggets were rumored to be pursuing an offensive spark, several names were identified as their targets but the most prominent one that emerged is Zach LaVine.
It has been pegged that on a potential deal for the Chicago Bulls star, Porter is the best asset that the Nuggets could throw due to his $179MM contract. From this, the 26-year-old has endured tons of trade speculations across fans, media, and league circles.
Yet in the midst of the roaring outside noise about him and the Nuggets, Porter Jr. revealed that the team’s leadership assured him that he’s here to stay in the Mile High City — a significant notion that correlates to what head coach Michael Malone has stated earlier.
“They’ve reached out to me and said it’s all noise,” Porter Jr. said. “There’s nothing serious going on. And if there was, they’ll let me know. They love how I am playing.
“They have no desire to move me right now. But I also know they wouldn’t tell me if they wanted to move me.”
By looking at how things are going around, the majority of the Nuggets‘ fan base is basically against the idea of shipping Porter Jr. away. Although there’s been plenty of criticism about the amount of contract he currently holds and the risks surrounding his health, many still view him as a vital cog on the team’s current system and identity around reigning three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
As a former young sensation who underwent three critical back surgeries on separate occasions, Porter Jr. has captivated every Denver fan with his redemption story.
By looking at the numbers, Porter Jr. is showcasing the best and healthiest season of his career this 2024-25 for the Nuggets. Playing in all of the team’s 27 games thus far, he is averaging 18.3 points on 51.8 percent shooting (38.8 percent from threes) alongside 6.9 rebounds and a career-best 2.8 assists.
For now, the Nuggets star will continue to control what he can control while keeping his commitment intact in aiding the Nuggets to sustained success.
“I’ve overcome so much in my life. I’ve gone through so much with my family. I’ve gone through so much personally that little stuff like a trade rumor, I leave that stuff up to God,” he further said. “I have zero stress about it.
“I love where I’m at and I love playing with these dudes. And I think we have a chance to get rolling and do something special.”
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