The Denver Nuggets are now two seasons removed from their 2023 NBA championship. This season, they showed promise in a tough playoff series against the eventual Western Conference Champion, Oklahoma City Thunder. Still, it was clear the Nuggets aren’t quite at their past championship level. This has started multiple Nuggets trade rumors.
One player who has been a frequent subject of Nuggets trade rumors is Michael Porter Jr. MPJ had another solid season for the Nuggets, scoring 18.2 points and seven rebounds on 50.4% shooting from the field and nearly 40% from three.
There has, however, been consistent concern over MPJ’s defense.
Because of these defensive limitations, Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report wrote a Nuggets trade proposal that will send MPJ away for more defensive reinforcements.
Bailey’s Nuggets-MPJ trade looks like this:
Trey Murphy III and Kelly Olynyk for Michael Porter Jr., Peyton Watson, a 2031 first-round pick swap, and a 2032 first-round pick
While an intriguing option, A Nuggets-MPJ trade like this doesn’t make a ton of sense for the team. MPJ is an incredible shooter and scorer. The spacing he provides is essential for the Nuggets' offensive flow.
Sure, they would be picking up another solid shooter in Murphy, and he is, without question, an upgrade on defense. However, having to attach Watson and draft capital that goes into the 2030s is just too risky.
Watson has shown that he could blossom into a key role player for the Nuggets, and if the Nuggets are going to mortgage their whole future, they need to get a return a lot more intriguing than Murphy.
If the Nuggets are going to make a trade to sure up their defense for another championship run, they shouldn't be getting rid of one of their best young defenders in the trade.
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