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Nuggets Have Had ‘No Conversations’ About Star’s Trade

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Denver Nuggets trade candidate Michael Porter Jr.

Once upon a time, the Denver Nuggets sounded like they might land All-Star wing Zach LaVine in a blockbuster trade. However, after the Chicago Bulls gave the high-flyer first class tickets to Sacramento, the player who was presumably their top trade target was off the board. As a result, Michael Porter Jr.‘s job might be safe.

Following their victory against the New Orleans Pelicans, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone discussed the concept of touching base with Porter amid speculation that he could be traded.

Nuggets Have Had ‘No Conversations’ About Michael Porter Jr. Trade

“We’re not trading Michael Porter (Jr.),” he says. “So I’m not touching base with anybody on that… If there’s something coming, obviously (Nuggets general manager) Calvin (Booth) will talk with me and I’m sure we’ll communicate with whatever players.”

“Michael is a really important piece. Michael helped us win a championship. So, we’ll see what happens going into this coming Thursday.”

Not If, But When?

With that, Porter’s immediate future seems clear. Unless Denver includes him in a deal for Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler or New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, he probably won’t be flipped for an All-Star. There may not be a trade package that they accept for him either. That is, unless they prefer to have Atlanta Hawks wings De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Nonetheless, it seems possible that Porter could find himself on a new team eventually.

One of the ramifications of the Dallas Mavericks deciding to trade Luka Doncic was that it shook people’s confidence. Stars who previously believed that they were above the business of the NBA are now realizing that there may not be anyone who is. More importantly, players who have committed themselves to a franchise may now question if there really is such a thing as loyalty in sports.

So, keep in mind that Porter’s contract expires in 2027. With that being said, teams often look to move players on the final season of their deals. As a result, he could eventually become a trade candidate again, especially if there isn’t enough traction on a contract extension.

This possibility is magnified by the reality that 2026-27 is the final year of multiple All-Star players’ contracts. If the Nuggets front office sees a pathway towards pairing franchise centerpiece Nikola Jokic with Doncic, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, or even Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, they likely won’t hesitate. If acquiring a player of their caliber requires them to trade Porter, so be it. Business is business.

For now though, Porter seems like he can rest assured that he’ll remain in Denver. Well, at least for the remainder of 2024-25.

© Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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