For the first time since being traded to the Nets in the summer, Michael Porter Jr. returned to Denver on Thursday night. The Nuggets played a touching tribute video during the first timeout, and Mike received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Porter Jr. played great and kept the Nets in the game, putting up 38 points and 10 rebounds. For context, in his seven seasons with the Nuggets, he put up 35 and 10 just twice.
It was an incredible display by MPJ, and he actually had the 12-34 Nets leading in the fourth quarter, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough as the Nuggets pulled out a tight, 107-103 victory. Jamal Murray made up for his costly free-throw misses on Tuesday against the Pistons by coming through in the clutch with 9 points in the final two and a half minutes.
Murray had 27 points and 6 assists on the night to lead the way for Denver, Tim Hardaway Jr. hit 7 threes and finished with 25 points, and Peyton Watson added 19 points as well for the victors on Thursday night.
Porter Jr. may be moved again ahead of deadline
MPJ has had an incredible season so far, breaking out in Brooklyn as more of a primary scorer and initiator on a young, rebuilding Nets team. He is averaging career highs aross the board, putting up 25.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game on 48.2% shooting and 39.8% three-point shooting on 9.6 attempts per game.
As much as his play has been a revelation in Brooklyn, he may have played so well that his time in Brooklyn may quickly be coming to an end. A budding star in his prime may be a little ahead of schedule for the rest of the Nets’ roster.
Denver had to throw in a first-round pick to move Mike, but with how he has played, he has completely revamped his trade value to the point that multiple contenders are interested, and the Nets may flip him for more assets.
There are several teams looking for shooting and some secondary scoring, and MPJ should be able to fill that void perfectly. The Nets obviously have no obligation to make a move ahead of hte deadline, but they are clearly trying to get the best possible draft pick and build around their young core.
If they can turn around and get another first-round pick or two and/or young players and prospects, it would probably be wise to sell-high on Porter Jr. Either way, we’ll know how it all plays out in less than a week.