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Denver’s FO has admitted that the current roster was not structured to deal with the new salary cap reality.

Jokic and Murray are their 1 and 2, and Gordon plays a crucial role as their versatile F. This clearly leaves MPJ as the trade candidate for this season, in a 1 for 2 type of deal.


MPJ makes about $36M, and his main attribute is his shooting ability. He’s good for 18ppg. What are the main places he can be traded to?


Here’s one suggestion:

MPJ + Zeke (negative contract)
for
Bruce Brown + Kelly Olynyk + Ochai Agbaji + ‘27 TOR 2nd

Denver gets their supersub back, a 4-5 backup, a 2-3 defender, and a 2nd, while dropping out of the luxury tax. This also leaves them room to strategically sign a vet min on the buyout market.

MessiahUjiri wrote:Denver’s FO has admitted that the current roster was not structured to deal with the new salary cap reality.

Jokic and Murray are their 1 and 2, and Gordon plays a crucial role as their versatile F. This clearly leaves MPJ as the trade candidate for this season, in a 1 for 2 type of deal.


MPJ makes about $36M, and his main attribute is his shooting ability. He’s good for 18ppg. What are the main places he can be traded to?


Here’s one suggestion:

MPJ + Zeke (negative contract)
for
Bruce Brown + Kelly Olynyk + Ochai Agbaji + ‘27 TOR 2nd

Denver gets their supersub back, a 4-5 backup, a 2-3 defender, and a 2nd, while dropping out of the luxury tax. This also leaves them room to strategically sign a vet min on the buyout market.

Probably would want to flip Porter to a third team. Too much money tied up in a non competitive core otherwise.

The answer to your question is "No." It's actually essential that the Nuggets keep him unless they can engineer a situation in which moving him returns them commensurate on-court production.
 

MessiahUjiri wrote:Denver’s FO has admitted that the current roster was not structured to deal with the new salary cap reality.

Unfortunately for the Nuggets, they're stuck with that reality. They're intent on continuing to compete; simply getting rid of MPJ for a significant talent downgrade would mean objectively becoming worse, and that's just not in the cards. Even if they were able to outright dump his salary, they still wouldn't have the ability to come anywhere near to replacing his contributions through the means that would become available for them.

MPJ has his faults, and his health is a perpetual concern, but he's also an elite perimeter shooter and (when he cares) a capable defender who has a pretty darned good good fit alongside Jokic. He provides solid on-court value that the Nuggets need.

for
Bruce Brown + Kelly Olynyk + Ochai Agbaji + ‘27 TOR 2nd[/b]

Denver gets their supersub back, a 4-5 backup, a 2-3 defender, and a 2nd, while dropping out of the luxury tax. This also leaves them room to strategically sign a vet min on the buyout market.

Even if this deal were legal -- it isn't, because Olynyk is trade-ineligible until January 15th -- it would make the Nuggets significantly worse on the court, and the ability to possibly add a solid veteran four months into the season would be an exceedingly small consolation prize.

I doubt the Raptors are particularly interested in onboarding MPJ anyway.

It's hard to downgrade in talent when you have Peak Nikola Jokic and are a title contender.

It’s been suggested before doesn’t Ingram fit here in a hypothetical trade scenario? Gives Denver an upgrade and New Orleans the longer contract and maybe better fit.

Porter is only high volume 3pt shooter on the team. After KCP left they will have even more "math" problems. They were among teams shooting fewest 3s even with KCP, now with Braun in starting lineup and Jokic's 3pt decline, that will drop even more. They cant afford to switch Porter for a worse or less willing shooter.

MessiahUjiri wrote:Here’s one suggestion:

MPJ + Zeke (negative contract)
for
Bruce Brown + Kelly Olynyk + Ochai Agbaji + ‘27 TOR 2nd

I agree that Nuggets should look into moving MPJ, but if this is the best they can get, they should stand pat. This offer is total garbage, an expiring bench player, a marginally useful vet getting old and a bust isn't going to make them better long term. Also, I don't know if Raptors are willing to commit all that money, but I don't really know what they're going for so who knows.

1. Denver doesn't need/want to trade MPJ he is a perfect fit in the starting lineup with Jokic/Murray/AG/Braun
2. Let's stop pretending nobody knows how Bruce Brown played last season without Nugges/Jokic. Denver won't trade for him for nostalgic reasons. Westbrook last season was better than Bruce B
3. Ingram would be a bad fit with the rest of the Nuggets starters so for the Nuggets and their roles in team MPJ>Ingram

BelgradeNugget wrote:1. Denver doesn't need/want to trade MPJ he is a perfect fit in the starting lineup with Jokic/Murray/AG/Braun
2. Let's stop pretending nobody knows how Bruce Brown played last season without Nugges/Jokic. Denver won't trade for him for nostalgic reasons. Westbrook last season was better than Bruce B
3. Ingram would be a bad fit with the rest of the Nuggets starters so for the Nuggets and their roles in team MPJ>Ingram

What about Cam Johnson?

Similar kind of player to MPJ

Not as dynamic of a scorer, but a solid player on a better deal

If I was the Lakers I would be interested in MPJ, but our pieces don't fit well for you guys. Would need a 3rd team

To the Hornets for Bridges & Micic

Porter Jr + required matching salaries
For
DeAndre Hunter and Bogdanovic

Hawks get an off ball scorer to compliment Trae.
Nuggets bring in Bogdanovic to fill the 3rd scorer role and get a low end, but well fitting starting 3.

Porter Jr
For
Jerami Grant and Duop Reath

Blazers get the younger, better shooting forward that fits well with their core.
Nuggets bring back Jerami, but this time as a more realized offensive player. A little cheaper, a little more well rounded.

Porter Jr
For
Andrew Wiggins and Buddy Hield

Warriors consolidate some pieces to bring in Porter as their #2 option. I like the pairing of him and Kuminga at forward.
Nuggets would be hoping for a resurgence out of both of these guys. Playing with Jokic feels like it boosts the odds of that... Although so does playing Curry.

nzahir wrote:

BelgradeNugget wrote:1. Denver doesn't need/want to trade MPJ he is a perfect fit in the starting lineup with Jokic/Murray/AG/Braun
2. Let's stop pretending nobody knows how Bruce Brown played last season without Nugges/Jokic. Denver won't trade for him for nostalgic reasons. Westbrook last season was better than Bruce B
3. Ingram would be a bad fit with the rest of the Nuggets starters so for the Nuggets and their roles in team MPJ>Ingram

What about Cam Johnson?

Similar kind of player to MPJ

Not as dynamic of a scorer, but a solid player on a better deal

If I was the Lakers I would be interested in MPJ, but our pieces don't fit well for you guys. Would need a 3rd team

What about Cam Johnson for Lakers?
For the same reason you want MPJ in LA we want him in Denver

I agree that if one of the four must go, it’s MPJ, but I’m not sure DEN has to trade him. One of the things that had made the Nuggets such a tough match up for the last few years is that few teams can defend their size, with Gordon, MPJ and Jokic out there, so trading MPJ is going to hurt them. On the positive side, I think playing with Jokic can help any new player they bring in, so maybe they can get an undervalued player in a trade that works for them. But overall, I think the Nuggets are legitimate contenders, and ownership needs to get comfortable with a big tax bill for a change.

BelgradeNugget wrote:

nzahir wrote:

BelgradeNugget wrote:1. Denver doesn't need/want to trade MPJ he is a perfect fit in the starting lineup with Jokic/Murray/AG/Braun
2. Let's stop pretending nobody knows how Bruce Brown played last season without Nugges/Jokic. Denver won't trade for him for nostalgic reasons. Westbrook last season was better than Bruce B
3. Ingram would be a bad fit with the rest of the Nuggets starters so for the Nuggets and their roles in team MPJ>Ingram

What about Cam Johnson?

Similar kind of player to MPJ

Not as dynamic of a scorer, but a solid player on a better deal

If I was the Lakers I would be interested in MPJ, but our pieces don't fit well for you guys. Would need a 3rd team

What about Cam Johnson for Lakers?
For the same reason you want MPJ in LA we want him in Denver

Very interested in Cam if we aren't swinging for a big contract like Lavine, Young, or BI

My #1 target for a non "star"

youngcrev wrote:Porter Jr + required matching salaries
For
DeAndre Hunter and Bogdanovic

Hawks get an off ball scorer to compliment Trae.
Nuggets bring in Bogdanovic to fill the 3rd scorer role and get a low end, but well fitting starting 3.

Porter Jr
For
Jerami Grant and Duop Reath

Blazers get the younger, better shooting forward that fits well with their core.
Nuggets bring back Jerami, but this time as a more realized offensive player. A little cheaper, a little more well rounded.

Porter Jr
For
Andrew Wiggins and Buddy Hield

Warriors consolidate some pieces to bring in Porter as their #2 option. I like the pairing of him and Kuminga at forward.
Nuggets would be hoping for a resurgence out of both of these guys. Playing with Jokic feels like it boosts the odds of that... Although so does playing Curry.

POR wants no part of that contract and injury history.

Denver's issue is that the only first they can trade is their 2031 pick as a swap b/c of all the protections on the other picks they've dealt. In the end, they are probably going to have to use their young rotation players as incentive, and I don't really know where that gets them. They should probably start by seeing if they can get ORL to trade back their first round pick by pushing it to 2031 or trading them a young player. e.g.,

DEN trades: Peyton Watson, 2026 pick swap (ORL receives higher of ORL/DEN 1st, DEN receives lower)
ORL trades: 2025 DEN 1st (1-5 through 2027)
Orlando gets a backup 3/4 who maintains their defensive identity and helps build the rotation of a team that should be pushing for the playoffs, Denver gets some pick flexibility back.

DEN trades: 2031 DEN 1st (unprotected)
OKC trades: 2027 DEN 1st (1-5 protected through 2031)
OKC gets an unprotected pick further into the future, Denver gets back trade flexibility with the chance to trade its 2025, 2027, and 2029 1sts.

Then they can use those picks to create a cheaper rotation that still has a lot of the same strengths, e.g.,

DEN trades: Michael Porter Jr., Zeke Nnaji, 2027 DEN 1st, 2029 DEN 1st
BRK trades: Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Day'Ron Sharpe
Denver gets a shooter to fill MPJ's role (not quite as good of a player), a 3+D player to fill Watson's role (and he is expiring), and a backup center to backfill the rotation with Holmes injured. Brooklyn gets a chance to feature MPJ a bit and see if he does well in an expanded role (which might increase his trade value) while also getting picks for the amount of money they take.

Murray/Westbrook/Pickett
Braun/Murray/Strawther
Johnson/DFS
Gordon/DFS/Tyson
Jokic/Saric/Sharpe

+ they have their 2025 1st in a wing-heavy draft (and they'll need one, I think) or to aggregate in a trade
+ Holmes will return next season

I think this puts them in a better financial situation, makes them a little deeper, and while reducing some of the top-end talent may make up for it with depth and better positional balance.

Submit offers for Murray+MPJ+Nnaji

I see Porter as negative value. They should be all over this.

Laimbeer wrote:I see Porter as negative value. They should be all over this.

I think his trade value is probably negative in his role, but if he demonstrates that he can scale up a bit, it might have some value. e.g., I think something like

20-22ppg, 7rpg on 50/40/80 shooting is well within the range of possibility for him (averaged 19ppg in his second year, career 49.9/41/80 shooter) and with higher volume while still being elite off-ball a team in need of a third option with a better salary structure than Denver may want him (e.g., I think he'd look pretty nice in Houston as a third option behind Sengun and whoever emerges out of their young players, or in Sacramento if DeRozan isn't a good fit).

babyjax13 wrote:Denver's issue is that the only first they can trade is their 2031 pick as a swap b/c of all the protections on the other picks they've dealt. In the end, they are probably going to have to use their young rotation players as incentive, and I don't really know where that gets them. They should probably start by seeing if they can get ORL to trade back their first round pick by pushing it to 2031 or trading them a young player. e.g.,

DEN trades: Peyton Watson, 2026 pick swap (ORL receives higher of ORL/DEN 1st, DEN receives lower)
ORL trades: 2025 DEN 1st (1-5 through 2027)
Orlando gets a backup 3/4 who maintains their defensive identity and helps build the rotation of a team that should be pushing for the playoffs, Denver gets some pick flexibility back.

DEN trades: 2031 DEN 1st (unprotected)
OKC trades: 2027 DEN 1st (1-5 protected through 2031)
OKC gets an unprotected pick further into the future, Denver gets back trade flexibility with the chance to trade its 2025, 2027, and 2029 1sts.

Then they can use those picks to create a cheaper rotation that still has a lot of the same strengths, e.g.,

DEN trades: Michael Porter Jr., Zeke Nnaji, 2027 DEN 1st, 2029 DEN 1st
BRK trades: Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Day'Ron Sharpe
Denver gets a shooter to fill MPJ's role (not quite as good of a player), a 3+D player to fill Watson's role (and he is expiring), and a backup center to backfill the rotation with Holmes injured. Brooklyn gets a chance to feature MPJ a bit and see if he does well in an expanded role (which might increase his trade value) while also getting picks for the amount of money they take.

Murray/Westbrook/Pickett
Braun/Murray/Strawther
Johnson/DFS
Gordon/DFS/Tyson
Jokic/Saric/Sharpe

+ they have their 2025 1st in a wing-heavy draft (and they'll need one, I think) or to aggregate in a trade
+ Holmes will return next season

I think this puts them in a better financial situation, makes them a little deeper, and while reducing some of the top-end talent may make up for it with depth and better positional balance.

OKC actually owns DEN 2027 AND 2029 1st, its 2 separate 1sts that they own