Yeah, Mike! An ode to Michael Porter Jr.’s Nuggets journey

Michael Porter Jr. was never supposed to wind up in the Mile High City.

The 6’10” wing with a unique blend of size, skill, athleticism, and shooting prowess should have been a top-five pick. Instead, a back injury scared away 12 NBA teams (the Clippers owned two picks, 12 and 13), and he tumbled right into Denver’s lap at No. 14 in the 2018 draft. Tim Connelly and the front office saw gold, whereas others saw injury risk.

But that gold didn’t shine through immediately. MPJ’s rookie season vanished entirely behind another back surgery and another year of wondering if his tantalizing talent was really too good to be true.

But anyone who doubted Michael Porter Jr. didn’t know the warrior they were dealing with.

Mike’s Big Breakthrough

When MPJ finally debuted on Halloween night in New Orleans in 2019, flashes of brilliance emerged. Porter Jr. put up a 15-4-1 in his first outing as a pro, 594 days since he played in a competitive basketball game that wasn’t an exhibition.

He really burst onto the scene on Jan. 2, 2020, against the Indiana Pacers. Twenty-five points on 11-of-12 shooting off the bench. Pure poetry in motion. That stepback over Doug McDermott still gives me goosebumps. Such a pretty shot.

This was Porter Jr.’s emphatic declaration that all those years of patience, all those rehabilitation sessions, all those Nuggets fans wondering “what if” were all about to pay off.

After that, we got the “Yeah, Mike” shot against the Clippers in the bubble. 

Between the burgeoning brilliance on the court, MPJ’s quirky personality shone through. Remember when he accidentally leaked NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s cell phone number on Snapchat? Oops! The league office wasn’t amused, but Nuggets fans fell in love with Curious Mike: raw, unfiltered, sometimes controversial.

The Bag … and the Burden

But success breeds expectation. In September 2021, Denver rewarded MPJ’s ascension — 14.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 1 APG on almost 44% three-point shooting across his first two seasons played — with a five-year, $172 million extension. Yet alongside Jamal Murray’s max deal, these contracts would help shape the franchise’s next era, creating a financial straightjacket that would hamper the front office for years.

Then came November 2021. Another back surgery. His third. Drop foot complications added even greater concern. But watching MPJ return again after missing most of two of his first four seasons, one couldn’t help but marvel at his determination. Less mentally tough players would have quit. MPJ kept grinding.

Helping Denver Reach the NBA Mountaintop

Porter Jr. returned as a 6’11” knockdown shooter for the 2023 championship run. While he lacked the explosive athleticism that had him a top prep prospect, he evolved into a battle-tested veteran who understood sacrifice. His defense improved (there wasn’t much room to get worse early on), and he committed to crashing the glass.

Mike averaged 13.4 points, a whopping 8.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, shooting 35% from deep, during the 2023 playoffs.

Watching him celebrate that June night in Denver, champagne-soaked and grinning, felt like vindication. For him, for the organization, and everyone else who believed in his long road back. Three back surgeries couldn’t stop him. Family drama with his brother’s fatal drunk-driving crash (and other brothers’ legal troubles in the years to come) didn’t break him. MPJ got a ring.

The Eventual Goodbye

Despite all the good times, basketball remains a business. The new CBA made MPJ’s hefty contract, especially for the team’s third option, a liability Denver could ill afford. The Nuggets constantly butt up against the onerous second apron, making Porter Jr.’s contract an attractive one to shed.

The last two playoff runs left a bit to be desired, too, with Porter Jr. averaging just 12.2 points, six rebounds, and less than an assist per contest across the 26 playoff games in 2024 and 2025. The injury suffered against the Clippers in Game 2 of this year’s first round really factored in, as Mike put up just over nine points per game on 34.3% three-point shooting.

Given where things stood, his trade to Brooklyn for Cameron Johnson was pragmatic but potentially necessary for the Nuggets to get back to where they want to go. And definitely heartbreaking.

Unfortunately, MPJ’s extension, signed in celebration of his potential, became what made him a luxury. With two years and $79 million remaining compared to Johnson’s $42 million, the financial flexibility of flipping Mike for a cheaper player who could fill a similar role was inescapable.

One Last “Yeah, Mike”

Michael Porter Jr. gave us everything: his body, his heart, and his championship-level talent when it mattered most. He played through pain that would sideline ordinary players and battled back from injuries that ended other careers. Heck, he even endured family scandals along the way.

MPJ’s career in Denver wasn’t perfect. His availability felt like a constantly looming concern. Worse yet, his contract became a burden. In Brooklyn, MPJ will get a fresh start — new teammates, new expectations, new hope. Nuggets fans will watch from afar, and I know I’ll be rooting for him like he’s still ours. So, cheers to the good times and the bad.

Thank you, Michael Porter Jr., for the highlights and for your part in bringing a ring to the Mile High City. Thanks for everything!