Denver Nuggets: Constructing the dream offseason
By Sean Carroll
Denver Nuggets dream offseason: Extend Michael Porter Jr
Michael Porter Jr is extension eligible this offseason, meaning he can sign an extension to his rookie deal this offseason if both he and the team want to.
Connelly has said it’s a priority in his postseason press conference and it’s on-brand for this front office to retain its in-house talent:
"“We know how bad [Michael Porter Jr] wants (a title). We want it just as bad. … He’s basketball-obsessed. His work ethic is an A-plus. It’s fun when you see guys like that where he had to battle through adversity and all the injuries. We’ll sit down with Michael’s representation. Our M.O. is when we can, we try to lock guys up and reward them for what they’ve done. “We’ve had a lot of luck getting things done early rather than later, and I think it’s helped with our culture. These guys are colleagues, they’re not assets. The more proactive we can be with trying to build a sustainable roster, the better.”"
If an extension is on the way, MPJ and his representation would surely be asking for the maximum, meaning this Nuggets team is going to get expensive soon with three players on their max (Jokic and Jamal).
By not extending him this summer, MPJ will still be eligible to be included in trades under the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. If he were to extend, then the team would lose that ability until three months after the trade – eliminating them from most early season trades if that’s on their mind.
Related Story. The case against extending Michael Porter Jr this offseason. light
At the end of the day, it doesn’t look as though there is a star on the move worthy of holding out on a Porter extension. Last season, James Harden had publicly requested a trade that didn’t occur until the season had started. This season, there doesn’t appear to be anyone of that caliber out there (yet…).
The safest and most likely move here is to come to an agreement with MPJ, locking him up on a multi-year contract, and confidently moving forwards knowing that the core of Jokic, Murray, and MPJ is here for the foreseeable future.
What does that extension look like? Check out this article to see Nugg Love break it down.