Grade the Trade: Nuggets swap starter for disgruntled All-Star in mock proposal

Laying out the trade

In Bleacher Report's mock trade, the Nuggets send Michael Porter Jr. and Zeke Nnaji to the Bulls for LaVine and a 2029 first-round pick swap.

Buckley wrote that Jokic "might appreciate having another shot-maker and shot-creator of LaVine's caliber" and that an offense with Jokic, LaVine, and Jamal Murray "might be unstoppable."

If you didn't look at LaVine's contract, you might think this would be a good deal for Denver. He'll make $43 million next season and $45.9 million in 2025-26. He has a $48.9 million player option for 2026-27 he could decline to become an unrestricted free agent, but it's unlikely that he'll leave that much money on the table. LaVine's contract is one of the worst in the league.

Buckley argued that Porter Jr. is "overpaid for a shooting specialist." The five-year, $179 million deal he signed runs through the 2026-27 season (like LaVine's.). Is that a lot of money for a role player like Porter Jr.? Yes. Is his contract better than LaVine's? Yes. Is he more valuable than LaVine? Yes.

Porter Jr. and LaVine have dealt with injuries throughout their careers, but the Nuggets forward is coming off an 81-game season. LaVine played 25 games last season because of a foot injury he decided to have surgery on. LaVine did play 77 games in 2022-23, while Porter Jr. played 62.

Is this a trade Calvin Booth and Denver should do? Or at least consider?