The Denver Nuggets traded Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets this offseason. Porter enjoyed some big moments in Denver, but he may be in a position to take a step forward with his new team. With the Nuggets, Porter Jr. often found good looks off passes from Nikola Jokic. With the Nets, the forward will receive the opportunity to create and build upon his own play-making ability.
Some may argue that Porter will see a decline in his performance with Jokic no longer on his team. However, Porter was known as a catch-and-shoot player in Denver. The results were encouraging, as he averaged 18.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 50.4 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from beyond the arc this past season. Joining the Nets presents Porter with a new opportunity, however.
Michael Porter Jr.'s next NBA chapter
Porter is ready for his next chapter, though. He is going to be one of the primary scorers in Brooklyn. Additionally, the Nets will need him to be more than a catch-and-shoot guy. It wouldn't be surprising to see Porter increase his assists per game. He will also need to create shot opportunities for himself on a more consistent basis.
Joining the Nets will be a challenge. He's played alongside Jokic for years, so adjusting to being without arguably the best passer in the game will prove to be difficult. Michael Porter Jr. could balance out his game and emerge as a star, though.
The Nets' roster features a number of question marks. The overall play-making will be a significant change for Porter. It will be intriguing to see how he handles the adjustment.
Nuggets without Porter
The Nuggets will miss Porter's presence on the floor. He wasn't the best player on the team -- Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray led the way -- but his impact was crucial for a Nuggets team that has been quite competitive over the years. Porter's ability to find the bottom of the net off the catch-and-shoot was pivotal for Jokic and Denver.
With that being said, Denver made the difficult decision to move in a different direction. The Nuggets still expect to make noise in the standings. Denver should be able to compete once again, although the Western Conference features plenty of talented teams.
Meanwhile, Porter will do everything he can to help the Nets play at a competitive level during the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season.