RealGM

This playoffs basically showed that DEN needs more depth from the bench to help Jokic, here's how they can do it...

DEN In - PJ, Vuc, POR 2026 1st (Lottery Protected until 2028)
DEN Out - MPJ

DAL In - Coby White
DAL Out - PJ

CHI In - MPJ
CHI Out - Coby White, Vuc, POR 2026 1st (Lottery Protected until 2028)


WHY?

DEN - They swap out MPJ as a scorer with a Defensive minded wing in PJ who can also score some and be another dirty work player. Additionally, Vuc would be great off the bench providing the ability to be the offensive hub off the bench and fits what DEN has already built around Jokic. Draft compensation possible but hard to gauge MPJ real value (Could be removed or downgraded to 2nd)

DAL - With them assumed to be drafting Flagg, they have too many wings and not enough ball handlers. Since Kyrie will be out until late in the season, Coby White could step into the role as the starting PG and can play some off ball when Kyrie returns

CHI - this team is not going anywhere and needs to find value and a young piece to potentially be a part of the core. MPJ has the ability to do that on this team. He will be able to be the primary scorer on a team that doesn't have one and is still young enough to pair with Giddy for a while. This would cost them a few expiring contracts, but MPJ is locked up for another 2 years and could be used as a future trade chip as an expiring contract for team looking to save in following season.

Chicago is due value in a Porter for White trade. Yet you have them paying it. This dies with them and pretty quickly.

Texas Chuck wrote:Chicago is due value in a Porter for White trade. Yet you have them paying it. This dies with them and pretty quickly.

This is where I was not sure what that Value of MPJ would be. In that case I could see the switching the draft compensation as follows:

DEN In - PJ, Vuc
DEN Out - MPJ, DEN 2025 1st Round Pick

DAL In - Coby White
DAL Out - PJ

CHI In - MPJ, DEN 2025 1st Round Pick
CHI Out - Coby White, Vuc

Curious if this looks more fair?

something47 wrote:

Texas Chuck wrote:Chicago is due value in a Porter for White trade. Yet you have them paying it. This dies with them and pretty quickly.

This is where I was not sure what that Value of MPJ would be. In that case I could see the switching the draft compensation as follows:

DEN In - PJ, Vuc
DEN Out - MPJ, DEN 2025 1st Round Pick

DAL In - Coby White
DAL Out - PJ

CHI In - MPJ, DEN 2025 1st Round Pick
CHI Out - Coby White, Vuc

Curious if this looks more fair?

Denver's FRP 25 belongs to Orlando (Gordon swap)

It appears DEN can't trade a FRP until 2031,that's a long time to wait for a team trading 2 starters and getting a guy back who will be long gone in 6 years. At his best I don't think MPJ becomes an all star in CHI and they don't want him taking shots from their 2nd team all rookie forward they might still have Buzelis in 2031

I don't see this upgrading Denver's depth much. In a playoff series Vuc is getting 4-8 mpg tops. PJ just replaces Porter in the starting lineup and probably makes Denver's position fit worse as both he and Gordon are best at PF.

Chicago doesn't do the original deal either but I wouldn't expect Denver to give up a 1st (even distant) for a backup center upgrade.