Michael Porter jr

[TheNetsFan]

On draft night, I would do MPJ and Jackson for DFS and Schröder. We would absorb Reggie with one of our TPE's while staying just barely before the luxury tax. Meanwhile, Denver would get within 500K of the tax line, which could pay dividends in the future.

On the court, I think that Michael can play with the Twins, and can blossom with slightly bigger usage. Dorian would be an absolute rock star in Denver, I know everybody looks better next to Jokic but this would be particularly true of Smith. Dennis gives a bit more insurance for Jamal missing time.

Would Brooklyn ditch the 2025 plan for MPJ?

Absolutely not

[Ryoga Hibiki]

A team that could lurk and grab him at some point are the Sacramento Kings. If they put him in Barnes's place I think they could be a low level contender

[Mike lorenzo]

Kuzma/Kispert for MPJ+ future FRP

[BelgradeNugget]

I don't think paying for a championship team is a problem. Denver is 6th in payroll this season. LA Clippers, Phoenix, Milwaukee and Boston invested more money in their teams trying to achive what Denver has done - win a championship. Denver and Boston are the only one of these teams with core young enough to compete for multiple seasons. There is no logic in trying to build a championship team, investing time and money only to dismentle it due to money when you build one.

Regarding players mentioned as potential trade options, not one of them is making Denver better or the same. MPJ value is not in a vaccum, it is in his specific role in Denver's team on O and D. Denver would be significantly worst team after all sugested trades.

I can't see the Nuggets staying in the second Apron long enough to have their picks moved permanently to 30.
In particular if you want to to keep building around Jokic till he's in his mid 30s.
At some point they will have to make decisions and hopefully someone like Watson, Braun or even Tyson will be ready to step up to a starting role.

But for that MPj will need to be healthy and the Nuggets will need to showcase who good he actually is, as I don't think his reputation is matching his talent now.

To be honest I hope we will be picking 30th for a long time because it means we will be the best rs team even without aprons. This season out pick will be 27-29, there is not much diference to No 30.

As far as building around Jokic, we buildt our team, we just need some small moves around the edges. Our core players are in their prime or still entering their prime.

KCP -31
Jokic - 29
AG - 28
Murray - 27
MPJ - 25
Braun - 22
Watson - 21

If we keep them we can compete for next 6-7 years. Even if we trade MPJ we can't go under the cap to be able to sign some big free agent. It is not like we must find a replacement for 37 yo Conely or 36 yo Lopez like Wolfes or Bucks. KD and Curry are 36, LeBron 40. We have the youngest championship winning superstar and he is second oldest in our core. All of them can play with Jokic for as long as he plays.

MPJ is our youngest starter. He has 3 healthy seasons as starter (after his rookie year) and is still improving. For your 3rd option you need low usage player. MPJ is 159 in USG% among players with 15+ mpg. He is right there with Tobias Harris, Evan Mobley, Andrew Wiggins, Austin Reaves...

In Denver's offense his role is to catch and shoot. In all 3 of his seasons as starter his 2FG%, 3FG% and EFG% are top of the league in catch and shoot. Top 15 in pull-ups % (min 3), top 10 in putbacks (non centers) this season. He is one of the best rebounder among SFs. He is 6'10'', helps with covering bigs and rim protection when we go into rotation defensively.

He has injury concerns same as Kawhi, PG13, AD, Porzingis, Klay, KD, Beal, Middleton. All of them are older than MPJ and non of their teams is looking to trade them as long as they can compete.

If we lose him to back problems we will be worst. If we trade him for any of players mantioned here - LaVine, Cam Johnson, Kuzma, DSF... we will be worst and we will have death weight on our payroll because non of them can be 3rd option on championship team.

So, he is staying in Denver and we will take a risk with him as we did on draft day.

[Ryoga Hibiki]

To be honest I hope we will be picking 30th for a long time because it means we will be the best rs team even without aprons. This season out pick will be 27-29, there is not much diference to No 30.

The thing is that it won't be this year's pick but the one 7 years down the road when Jokic will likely be retired that will be frozen first and moved to 30 second.
This is not a joke, you are locking yourself to 3-4 years without the possibility to have high draft picks after this era AND without the possibility to trade those picks to refresh the roster at the end of Jokic's prime.
all this while spending an enormous amount of money to the point that a bad season could mean the whole project to be derailed. And I know you don't care because it's not your money, but the guys making the decisions will.
If planning smartly and trading MPj (or someone else that is not Jokic) at the right moment will prevent that I think it would be a good idea.

[gswhoops]

Denver is going over the second apron no matter what. No rush to move him yet.

In a bass ackwards way, having a big salary like MPJ's on the books is somewhat advantageous if you're over the second apron because of the rules around combining salaries in trades. One big contract gives you a lot more trade options/flexibility than multiple midsized contracts even if they're the same amount in total.

[BelgradeNugget]

To be honest I hope we will be picking 30th for a long time because it means we will be the best rs team even without aprons. This season out pick will be 27-29, there is not much diference to No 30.

The thing is that it won't be this year's pick but the one 7 years down the road when Jokic will likely be retired that will be frozen first and moved to 30 second.
This is not a joke, you are locking yourself to 3-4 years without the possibility to have high draft picks after this era AND without the possibility to trade those picks to refresh the roster at the end of Jokic's prime.
all this while spending an enormous amount of money to the point that a bad season could mean the whole project to be derailed. And I know you don't care because it's not your money, but the guys making the decisions will.
If planning smartly and trading MPj (or someone else that is not Jokic) at the right moment will prevent that I think it would be a good idea.

Trading MPJ for a player who fits better with the rest of starters is OK, but I don't see it being posible. All trade proposals here are terrible for Denver. If we could get OG Anunoby or Mikal Bridges great, but we couldn't. And even with that moves we could risk chemistry problems.

Making money saving move while having a contender is bad, last time team did that was OKC with Harden and we know how it ended.

Denver made decision to go with it starting 5 and drafting players later in draft with potential to be good role players, like Braun and Watson on rookie contracts. I think they will keep that strategy.

[Jody Smokz]

A lot of fans forget that this is a business first. The orgs rarely will make that the narrative for a move involving a starter or big salary player but it happens. Denver's foundation is Jokic/Murray with Aaron Gordon making a strong argument for being the 3rd piece in that. KCP is up for a deal this offseason. At some point you can't pay everyone regardless of its a contender.

To be honest I hope we will be picking 30th for a long time because it means we will be the best rs team even without aprons. This season out pick will be 27-29, there is not much diference to No 30.

The thing is that it won't be this year's pick but the one 7 years down the road when Jokic will likely be retired that will be frozen first and moved to 30 second.
This is not a joke, you are locking yourself to 3-4 years without the possibility to have high draft picks after this era AND without the possibility to trade those picks to refresh the roster at the end of Jokic's prime.
all this while spending an enormous amount of money to the point that a bad season could mean the whole project to be derailed. And I know you don't care because it's not your money, but the guys making the decisions will.
If planning smartly and trading MPj (or someone else that is not Jokic) at the right moment will prevent that I think it would be a good idea.

[BelgradeNugget]

A lot of fans forget that this is a business first. The orgs rarely will make that the narrative for a move involving a starter or big salary player but it happens. Denver's foundation is Jokic/Murray with Aaron Gordon making a strong argument for being the 3rd piece in that. KCP is up for a deal this offseason. At some point you can't pay everyone regardless of its a contender.

To be honest I hope we will be picking 30th for a long time because it means we will be the best rs team even without aprons. This season out pick will be 27-29, there is not much diference to No 30.

The thing is that it won't be this year's pick but the one 7 years down the road when Jokic will likely be retired that will be frozen first and moved to 30 second.
This is not a joke, you are locking yourself to 3-4 years without the possibility to have high draft picks after this era AND without the possibility to trade those picks to refresh the roster at the end of Jokic's prime.
all this while spending an enormous amount of money to the point that a bad season could mean the whole project to be derailed. And I know you don't care because it's not your money, but the guys making the decisions will.
If planning smartly and trading MPj (or someone else that is not Jokic) at the right moment will prevent that I think it would be a good idea.

I undrestand it is business first, but...MPJ is our 3A peace with Aaron Gordon being 3B, and two of them with Jokic, Murray and KCP are core. With moving him Denver - champion and one of the favorites to win it all in the next 5-6 years, lowers it chance to compete in the long run. If they are forced to split starting 5 they might trade KCP with Braun or Watson as posible replecements but I don't see it coming soon. But as you say orgs can make salary cuting move.

So, do you see Boston trading Kristaps Porzingis for Cam Johnson and DFS? LaVine? Grant? Maybe Jrue for some combination of them, Isiah Stewart, De'Andre Hunter or Schröder because those players were mentioned as posible trade targets for MPJ?
Boston have 4 players making 30+ mil, Brown will make 49 mil next season. Time to start cutting costs?

Clippers signed always injured Kawhi to 150 mil 3 year deal. Crazy. They will sign PG13 and Harden to big deals to watch them sit on bench in street clothes in playoffs as was case in last few years.

GSW has highest payroll, is 10th in the west, didn't make salary cutting move. Klay Thompson was 43 mil expiring.

Suns traded for always injured Beal on 4 year 200 mil deal, they are fighting for home court adventage in the 1st round in the west. Now they hope all will be healthy in the playoffs and we still don't know do they have a chance even with all healthy.

Even Lakers payed Dlo 17 mil, Rui 15 mil, Gabe Vincent 10 mil and Vanderbilt 10 mil to compete for what IST? Thay could make a move Dlo + 1st for cap relief because thay are not contender, but they didn't. Why?

Good chance Dallas, Miami, Minesota will have as high payroll as Denver next season, who do you see making a salary cutting move first champion?

[Ryoga Hibiki]

A lot of fans forget that this is a business first. The orgs rarely will make that the narrative for a move involving a starter or big salary player but it happens. Denver's foundation is Jokic/Murray with Aaron Gordon making a strong argument for being the 3rd piece in that. KCP is up for a deal this offseason. At some point you can't pay everyone regardless of its a contender.

The thing is that it won't be this year's pick but the one 7 years down the road when Jokic will likely be retired that will be frozen first and moved to 30 second.
This is not a joke, you are locking yourself to 3-4 years without the possibility to have high draft picks after this era AND without the possibility to trade those picks to refresh the roster at the end of Jokic's prime.
all this while spending an enormous amount of money to the point that a bad season could mean the whole project to be derailed. And I know you don't care because it's not your money, but the guys making the decisions will.
If planning smartly and trading MPj (or someone else that is not Jokic) at the right moment will prevent that I think it would be a good idea.

I undrestand it is business first, but...MPJ is our 3A peace with Aaron Gordon being 3B, and two of them with Jokic, Murray and KCP are core. With moving him Denver - champion and one of the favorites to win it all in the next 5-6 years, lowers it chance to compete in the long run. If they are forced to split starting 5 they might trade KCP with Braun or Watson as posible replecements but I don't see it coming soon. But as you say orgs can make salary cuting move.

So, do you see Boston trading Kristaps Porzingis for Cam Johnson and DFS? LaVine? Grant? Maybe Jrue for some combination of them, Isiah Stewart, De'Andre Hunter or Schröder because those players were mentioned as posible trade targets for MPJ?
Boston have 4 players making 30+ mil, Brown will make 49 mil next season. Time to start cutting costs?

Clippers signed always injured Kawhi to 150 mil 3 year deal. Crazy. They will sign PG13 and Harden to big deals to watch them sit on bench in street clothes in playoffs as was case in last few years.

GSW has highest payroll, is 10th in the west, didn't make salary cutting move. Klay Thompson was 43 mil expiring.

Suns traded for always injured Beal on 4 year 200 mil deal, they are fighting for home court adventage in the 1st round in the west. Now they hope all will be healthy in the playoffs and we still don't know do they have a chance even with all healthy.

Even Lakers payed Dlo 17 mil, Rui 15 mil, Gabe Vincent 10 mil and Vanderbilt 10 mil to compete for what IST? Thay could make a move Dlo + 1st for cap relief because thay are not contender, but they didn't. Why?

Good chance Dallas, Miami, Minesota will have as high payroll as Denver next season, who do you see making a salary cutting move first champion?

In a few years Boston will likely trade Brown for salary relief.
At some point you must be ready to make decisions.

[BelgradeNugget]

A lot of fans forget that this is a business first. The orgs rarely will make that the narrative for a move involving a starter or big salary player but it happens. Denver's foundation is Jokic/Murray with Aaron Gordon making a strong argument for being the 3rd piece in that. KCP is up for a deal this offseason. At some point you can't pay everyone regardless of its a contender.

I undrestand it is business first, but...MPJ is our 3A peace with Aaron Gordon being 3B, and two of them with Jokic, Murray and KCP are core. With moving him Denver - champion and one of the favorites to win it all in the next 5-6 years, lowers it chance to compete in the long run. If they are forced to split starting 5 they might trade KCP with Braun or Watson as posible replecements but I don't see it coming soon. But as you say orgs can make salary cuting move.

So, do you see Boston trading Kristaps Porzingis for Cam Johnson and DFS? LaVine? Grant? Maybe Jrue for some combination of them, Isiah Stewart, De'Andre Hunter or Schröder because those players were mentioned as posible trade targets for MPJ?
Boston have 4 players making 30+ mil, Brown will make 49 mil next season. Time to start cutting costs?

Clippers signed always injured Kawhi to 150 mil 3 year deal. Crazy. They will sign PG13 and Harden to big deals to watch them sit on bench in street clothes in playoffs as was case in last few years.

GSW has highest payroll, is 10th in the west, didn't make salary cutting move. Klay Thompson was 43 mil expiring.

Suns traded for always injured Beal on 4 year 200 mil deal, they are fighting for home court adventage in the 1st round in the west. Now they hope all will be healthy in the playoffs and we still don't know do they have a chance even with all healthy.

Even Lakers payed Dlo 17 mil, Rui 15 mil, Gabe Vincent 10 mil and Vanderbilt 10 mil to compete for what IST? Thay could make a move Dlo + 1st for cap relief because thay are not contender, but they didn't. Why?

Good chance Dallas, Miami, Minesota will have as high payroll as Denver next season, who do you see making a salary cutting move first champion?

In a few years Boston will likely trade Brown for salary relief.
At some point you must be ready to make decisions.

In a few years when KCP is 33-34 and Braun/Watson are ready to replace him I see it coming.

[ecuhus1981]

On draft night, I would do MPJ and Jackson for DFS and Schröder. We would absorb Reggie with one of our TPE's while staying just barely before the luxury tax. Meanwhile, Denver would get within 500K of the tax line, which could pay dividends in the future.

On the court, I think that Michael can play with the Twins, and can blossom with slightly bigger usage. Dorian would be an absolute rock star in Denver, I know everybody looks better next to Jokic but this would be particularly true of Smith. Dennis gives a bit more insurance for Jamal missing time.

Would Brooklyn ditch the 2025 plan for MPJ?

Good question.

No, they wouldn't abandon the 2025 plan specifically and only for MPJ, he's not quite the caliber to lift us out of this funk on his own. But I think once some of the possible 2025 top free agents end up agreeing to and signing extensions this summer instead, we will have to adjust our strategy.