The Denver Nuggets watched from afar on Sunday as the Grizzlies got four first-round picks and a pick swap for Desmond Bane, hoping that it'd play in their favor. They need to trade Michael Porter Jr. this offseason, a task that is easier said than done due to the two remaining seasons on his contract, which is worth over $79 million.
Denver won't receive several first-round picks for MPJ, but the hope is that a team in the Eastern Conference will be desperate enough to make a move for the forward. His shooting, rebounding, and championship experience would move the needle for a team that wants to contend for a title, leading teams to overlook the money he's owed and his injury history.
The Nuggets need to find a way to trade Porter to ease their financial stresses, as well as get some much-needed depth in return. He may not fetch the ideal return that Denver needs, but it's still a move that needs to happen because the team is limited in its ability to upgrade the roster.
Will a team in the East be willing to trade for Michael Porter Jr.?
The East is the weaker of the two conferences by a wide margin. Jayson Tatum tearing his Achilles in the playoffs blew the conference open, paving the way for teams like the Magic to push their chips in to make what they hope will be a championship run. Other teams in the conference will likely follow suit this offseason, so the Nuggets need to find a way to capitalize on the opportunity.
It's not like Porter isn't a good player. He averaged 18.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game this past season, shooting 50.4% from the field and 39.5% from three. There is a team out there that could easily talk itself into adding his offensive firepower to a starting five. As mentioned, his injury history is a red flag, but he played 62 regular-season games in 2022-23, 81 in 2023-24, and 77 in 2024-25. The salary cap will increase, too, lessening the burden of his contract.
Nuggets fans are still waiting to learn who the next GM will be, a move that could determine MPJ's future in Denver. Whoever it is will have to find a way to construct a deeper roster around superstar Nikola Jokic under the constraints of the CBA, a tough challenge. Regardless of who takes over, trading Porter should be a priority.