Jrue to the Nuggets, Smart back to Boston!

youngcrev · Post #1 » by **youngcrev** » Mon May 26, 2025 12:28 am

Denver Nuggets
In: Jrue Holiday, Corey Kispert
Out: Michael Porter Jr, Zeke Nnaji

The Nuggets take a big swing on Jrue Holiday as their new 3rd/4th star and getting some additional depth. With how effective Westbrook was for them at times in the playoffs (and the role we saw from Bruce Brown in previous years), I can only imagine if an actual good player was filling in that role for them. Kispert's shooting from the wing helps somewhat in filling the void left by MPJ leaving.

Boston Celtics
In: Marcus Smart and Richaun Holmes (non guaranteed)
Out: Jrue Holiday

The Celtics get to sell the fan base on Marcus Smart's return in what's really just a (major) salary dump.

Washington Wizards
In: Michael Porter Jr and Zeke Nnaji
Out: Marcus Smart, Corey Kispert, Richaun Holmes

I mostly just think this is a good value proposition for the Wizards. MPJ will be entering his age 27 season, so he's still got years left on his prime. I like the fit of a big shooter with with this young team, and he could be a prime candidate to flip for a profit if that's the direction they choose to go.

jredsaz · Post #2 » by **jredsaz** » Mon May 26, 2025 2:27 am

Holmes contract get guaranteed if traded tho, right?

GatherStepGuru · Post #3 » by **GatherStepGuru** » Mon May 26, 2025 3:05 am

Decent trade all around.

As good of a fit Jrue could be in Denver, I just don’t know if Denvers need would have them take on that much of Holidays future money when they still have Braun. Do they move Braun back to the bench now that he’s coming into his own? They could move him to the 3, but he’s a bit undersized for that position.

Post #4 » by **nate33** » Mon May 26, 2025 12:49 pm

The Wizards have no interest in paying Porter $40M a year just to help Boston and Denver get out of their mess.

Why exactly would the Wizards do this? It's not like they would keep Porter around for his next contract. They would just be renting him for 2 years, only he would have no value in any type of trade. At least Marcus Smart has value as an expiring contract that can bring back a pick and a bad 2027 contract.

Also, I'm not convinced Porter is any good if he doesn't have Jokic setting him up. Last year, Porter averaged just 16.5 points per 36 minutes on a TS% of .536 in the 803 minutes he played while Jokic was on the bench.

nomansland · Post #5 » by **nomansland** » Mon May 26, 2025 2:06 pm

This doesn't do anything to help Denver with their money situation, and while this makes them deeper, I am not sure it makes them better.

GatherStepGuru · Post #6 » by **GatherStepGuru** » Mon May 26, 2025 2:56 pm

nate33 wrote:The Wizards have no interest in paying Porter $40M a year just to help Boston and Denver get out of their mess.

Why exactly would the Wizards do this? It's not like they would keep Porter around for his next contract. They would just be renting him for 2 years, only he would have no value in any type of trade. At least Marcus Smart has value as an expiring contract that can bring back a pick and a bad 2027 contract.

Also, I'm not convinced Porter is any good if he doesn't have Jokic setting him up. Last year, Porter averaged just 16.5 points per 36 minutes on a TS% of .536 in the 803 minutes he played while Jokic was on the bench.

I’m also not completely sold on Porter as a number 1 option, and think WAS should get more compensation. But isn’t his last year only partially guaranteed? I figured if he was a bad fit, they could waive or flip him. He might look better in a different offense.