Which of these MPJ trades is the most realistic?

[LeBronSpaghetti]

Or are none of them realistic? Please feel free to comment if it’s unfair in either direction. Denver’s 31 1st could be added if the value isn’t close, I just didnt include any picks because I was more interested in matching salary.

The needs I tried to fill from both sides are: identify teams that could use the shooting from a guy like MPJ. And from Denver’s perspective I tried to take one rotation player (MPJ) and turn him into multiple rotation players.


Trade 1: Denver and Miami

MPJ
Julian Strawther
Zeke Nnaji

For

Andrew Wiggins
Duncan Robinson


Trade 2: Denver and Orlando

MPJ
Julian Strawther
Dario Saric

For

Jonathan Isaac
KCP
Anthony Black


Trade 3: Denver and Portland

MPJ
Julian Strawther
Zeke Nnaji

For

Anfernee Simons
Robert Williams
Matisse Thybulle

[gswhoops]

I think all of these overvalue MPJ to be frank

[JRoy]

POR doesn’t want MPJ unless Grant is going out.

[jjohns828]

I can't see Orlando being interested in MPJ on that contract since he would be a backup forward behind Paolo and Franz. Especially since the trade you proposed would weaken their poor backcourt rotation where they already need a real upgrade before this trade.

[mg]

Teams like Orlando and Portland (Grant) are already overstocked with expensive forwards and have other needs.

Also the Heat will likely be looking seriously at free agency in '26/'27 and there's zero chance they take on the Nnaji contract.

I would maybe try a team such as the Jazz? Despite what the Ainges publicly say they will be tanking and can trade several rotation guys on expiring deals such as Collins and Sexton especially if a draft pick is coming back their way.

[Pattycakes]

Or are none of them realistic? Please feel free to comment if it’s unfair in either direction. Denver’s 31 1st could be added if the value isn’t close, I just didnt include any picks because I was more interested in matching salary.

The needs I tried to fill from both sides are: identify teams that could use the shooting from a guy like MPJ. And from Denver’s perspective I tried to take one rotation player (MPJ) and turn him into multiple rotation players.


Trade 1: Denver and Miami

MPJ
Julian Strawther
Zeke Nnaji

For

Andrew Wiggins
Duncan Robinson


Trade 2: Denver and Orlando

MPJ
Julian Strawther
Dario Saric

For

Jonathan Isaac
KCP
Anthony Black


Trade 3: Denver and Portland

MPJ
Julian Strawther
Zeke Nnaji

For

Anfernee Simons
Robert Williams
Matisse Thybulle

As Portland fan this actually isn’t horrible. I’m not a porter fan whatsoever or see the fit whatsoever… but none of those guys you mentioned us trading fit those criteria anyway. I do like Thybulle but it’s whatev

[SA37]

I think the Miami trade would be the most plausible. It could potentially free Miami up to move Jovic in a separate deal (assuming he had value) while giving Miami a nice prospect in Strawther. That said, I am not sure Miami would see MPJ as an upgrade over Wiggins.

With Banchero and Wagner locked in as the starting forwards, it seems silly for Orlando to pay MPJ $35-$40M to be a backup. Black is a better prospect than Strawther, imo. This just doesn't make any sense for Orlando.

Similarly, I don't see how Portland gains anything. They're sending out the best players in the deal, so they'd need Denver's 2031 at least, if not a 3rd team to send back more value.

[Astaluego]

My MPJ fits me in the Pistons something like....

Harris to CLIPPERS
MPJ PISTONS
Bogdan/DJJ/Fontecchio DENVER...

I think the Blazers should include MPJ + Nnaji for Grant + Thybulle + Reath...

I wouldn't hate him for the Mavs for Klay + Martin + Powell + Hardy

[MoneyTalks41890]

I still like MPJr, Nnaji for PG13

[kenwood3333]

MPJ is an injured prone, one dimensional, overpaid defensive liability, it will take at least a pick attached to get rid of him

[Texas Chuck]

I still like MPJr, Nnaji for PG13

This one is interesting

Sent from my SM-A156U using RealGM mobile app

[BelgradeNugget]

All big downgrades in talent for Nuggets. MPj is overpaid but better than all players mentioned here

[LeBronSpaghetti]

All big downgrades in talent for Nuggets. MPj is overpaid but better than all players mentioned here

He is, but the point is to turn one rotation player into more than one rotation player. So obviously for that to happen the other players coming back have to be lesser players.

Basically the thought behind these from Denver’s perspective is to get deeper and better defensively.

[oldncreaky]

My MPJ fits me in the Pistons something like....

Harris to CLIPPERS
MPJ PISTONS
Bogdan/DJJ/Fontecchio DENVER...

I think the Blazers should include MPJ + Nnaji for Grant + Thybulle + Reath...

I wouldn't hate him for the Mavs for Klay + Martin + Powell + Hardy

Uggh for the Pistons. Financially, MPJ would be fine for this season, and we could fit him even if he''s overpaid. However, the next season (2026-27) DET would have money issues and might end up sacrificing either Duren or Ivey which would be very short-sighted.

On the court, is MPJ even an upgrade on Tobias Harris next season? Maybe a bit, but not enough to sacrifice financial flexibility

Conclusion: DET would need incentive to take MPJ, and I don't see DEN wanting to pay it

[BelgradeNugget]

All big downgrades in talent for Nuggets. MPj is overpaid but better than all players mentioned here

He is, but the point is to turn one rotation player into more than one rotation player. So obviously for that to happen the other players coming back have to be lesser players.

Basically the thought behind these from Denver’s perspective is to get deeper and better defensively.

I understand idea but I don't agree with it. I have never seen team become better by turning good player into few worst. It is usually the other way around. A lot of players mantioned here are proven loosers like Simons, Harris... PG13 is a disaster. Wiggins had 1 good season. Then, some are calling MPj injury prone when guys like Jonathan Isaac and Robert Williams are on the list. Duncan Robinson is Doug McDermott on $20M contract.

Here is something interesting. Starting lineup in these playoffs

Nuggets 1st round - A. Gordon - N. Jokić - J. Murray - M. Porter Jr. - C. Braun had +12.4 netrtg
Clippers 1st round - J. Harden - K. Leonard - N. Powell - K. Dunn - I. Zubac - 11.1 netrtg

OKC 1st round - I. Hartenstein - S. Gilgeous-Alexander - L. Dort - C. Holmgren - J. Williams +12.1 netrtg
OKC WCF +7.5 netrtg

But in the WCSF

Nuggets starting lineup +10.3 netrtg
OKC starting lineup -1.3 netrtg

Nuggets starting lineup had MPj playing with one functional hand and still beat their starters.

So, Nuggets need to improve bench. Replace Hunter Tyson, Dario Saric, Jalen Pickett, Zeke Nnaji, DeAndre Jordan, Vlatko Cancar with somebody that can play. Can they make trades, do they have assets? Hell yes. Unprotected 2031 1st is valuable. Pack it with Nnaji and you can get good bench player. Pack it with Hunter Tyson, Dario Saric, Jalen Pickett, Russel Westbrook - expiring contracts, most sought after assets in the NBA these days, and you can get 2 good bench players. One good FA signing + Watson, Strawther and you can find 10 man rotation for rs and 8-9 rotation for playoffs.
We also have new coach, who may be able to solve non Jokic minutes, Malone couldn't.

If they want to trade MPj, OK for clear upgrade. KD is old, and want to leave Suns. He doesn't make sense for a lot of teams but does for Nuggets, and Nuggets make sense for him if he want to win a ring. Boston want to trade Jrue to clear cap. It can't work 1 for 1 but Nuggets should be there. With Jrue you get proven winner. Not a scorrer or shooter but defender, playmaker, ball handler.

[OutsidetheNBA]

Yeah any MPJ-to-Portland trade should be Grant instead of Simons.

Simons is a bad fit next to Murray -- they could not cut it together defensively in the playoffs. And MPJ + Grant + Deni in Portland is a lot of expensive overlap.

[BelgradeNugget]

Yeah any MPJ-to-Portland trade should be Grant instead of Simons.

Simons is a bad fit next to Murray -- they could not cut it together defensively in the playoffs. And MPJ + Grant + Deni in Portland is a lot of expensive overlap.

Only problem is Grant is not good. Portland have 2 forwards who can help contending team, but Grant is non of them.
If I ask you about Deni or Camara I would have to hide because answer would be in thrown rocks.
But if I ask about Simons or Grant all of a suden we will have a conversation.
No thanks,

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Portland cannot carry both Grant and MPJ on the payroll. They don't have to be moved for one another directly but the only way this trade happens is some magic option to move Grant for expirings at a low cost, something I don't think is at all likely. So Portland would have to pay to dump grant just to turn around and pay to take on MPJ. It's wasting a bunch of assets to go full circle and MPJ is not worth the cost required to pull this off. Regardless of what is fair for other teams, that just isn't going to fly for Portland.

[zimpy27]

I still like MPJr, Nnaji for PG13

Yeah or..

MPJ+Nnaji+Saric for Beal

[facothomas22]

Those trades are overvaluing Michael Porter Jr, especially the Blazers and Magic one. While Julian Strawther does carry some value, he's not enough to turn MPJ into Anfernee Simons or Anthony Black without draft compensation. The Heat one is the most realistic and a move that could be beneficial to both teams.