4 Nuggets who are untradeable, 2 they can afford to let go
By Tyler Watts
Expendable: Michael Porter Jr.
Porter Jr. has been a key part of the Nuggets' success since falling to 14th in the 2018 NBA Draft. The 6’10 forward missed his rookie season with a back injury and some teams feared he would never recover. MPJ has become one of the league’s best shooters but is the one piece of the team’s core they could make available if the right trade presented itself.
Porter Jr. is locked in until 2027 and has three years and $115 million remaining on his contract after this season. It is a hefty price to pay for a number three option, who has never garnered All-Star consideration.
The Denver Nuggets are happy with their team and believe their core group will bring them a second straight championship. They are not shopping Michael Porter Jr. and want the 25-year-old on their roster for the foreseeable future. His injury history has to be a bit concerning. He has never played more than 62 games in a season, and the franchise will have to continue to manage him.
Trading MPJ is the Nuggets' path to adding another significant salary. That won’t happen before the trade deadline but could be something the front office explores if they do not win the championship in 2024. Porter Jr. is the most expendable player in their current core, even if a trade is unlikely.