The Denver Nuggets (13-10) are 2.5 games behind the fourth-place Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference standings. However, as they’re virtually in a four-way tie with the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Golden State Warriors, they could slide from fifth- to eighth-place at the drop of a hat. Furthermore, they’re ninth-place Los Angeles Clippers are just 0.5 games behind them.
Suffice it to say, they don’t have much breathing room or margin for error. As a result, the expectation is for Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth to make a move that upgrades the roster.
Nuggets Most Valuable Non-Nikola Jokic Trade Chip Revealed
The Nuggets are “eager to make a move,” according to NBA insider Marc Stein (h/t Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports). However, “if they don’t involve (Michael Porter Jr.), the optionality there is extremely limited.”
“It’s been painted to me as eager. They are eager to make a move.”
“I think the Nuggets definitely want to do something They know they need a shakeup move of some sort.”@TheSteinLine tells @HarrisonWind that the Nuggets could be active this trade season. pic.twitter.com/49a5ubbjPo
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) December 13, 2024
This season, Michael Porter Jr. is averaging 18.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 0.9 steals per game. He continues to be one of the league’s most deadly shooters, converting 51.1 percent of his field goals and 38.3 percent of his three-pointers. With that being said, though he still has physical limitations, his movement has become increasingly fluid. As a result, there’s optimism that he has yet to reach his physical peak, which would open up even more of his game.
As strange as it sounds, this is what separates him from Jamal Murray.
Murray’s frequent appearances on the injury report have coincided with him taking a step back on both ends. In 2024-25, he’s averaging 17.9 points per game but shooting 42.5 percent from the field and 33.7 percent from three. He’s averaging 1.5 steals per game but allows plenty of perimeter penetration. In fact, he’s in the 20th percentile of isolation defenders this season, allowing 1.14 points per possession.
So, as far as Nikola Jokic’s All-Star sidekicks go, it makes sense that Porter is the one who would draw more trade interest.
Who Should The Nuggets Target?
The best player available on the trade market would seem to be Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler.
Though there’s a mutual respect between Butler and the organization, the reality is that they may not be willing to pay him what he desires in a contract extension. Business is business and that makes him someone they have to consider trading for assets. The alternative is letting him walk away for nothing.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram finds himself in the same position. However, he nor Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma are definitive upgrades over Porter due to inconsistent defense and streaky shooting. Chicago Bulls wing Zach LaVine’s three-ball is pure but there are questions about his contract and defense.
With that being said, there’s not a perfect player available on the trade market. Not even Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, a four-time MVP, would fit into that category. If the Los Angeles Clippers are prepared to go younger though, perhaps Kawhi Leonard could become available. When healthy, he has fewer flaws than arguably any player in the NBA.
The post Nuggets Most Valuable Non-Nikola Jokic Trade Chip Revealed appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.