Denver has to trade Michael Porter Jr, right? (DEN-TOR idea)

[MessiahUjiri]

Looking at Denver, it’s kind of obvious that they need to make a trade to utilize Jokic’s window, and their best asset for trading is breaking up MPJ into multiple guys who can fill their depth needs.


Here’s what I see as needs:
- a veteran 2 way guard/wing
- a POA defender (Jamal/Russ are too offensively focused)
- a backup big (Saric sucks)



MPJ + Dario Saric + Zeke Nnaji
For
Bruce Brown + Kelly Olynyk + Ochai Agbaji + ‘26 2nd


Denver gets the key depth they need, while shedding Nnaji and Saric.


Toronto gets a young starting SF for the future who can spread the floor for Scottie. There’s some concern around MPJ’s brothers history in Toronto, but that seems small to what MPJs fit could look like.



New Denver:

Murray / Russ
Brown / Ochai
Braun / Watson / Strawther
Gordon / (Olynyk)
Jokic / Olynyk / Jordan

^^still need a backup PF, probably. But that’s ready for a deep playoff run.




Toronto tanks.
Quickley / Davion(?)
RJ / JaKobe
MPJ / Gradey
Scottie / Nnaji
Poeltl / ??

Plus add 2 players in the draft (~5 and ~35). This core has a very high ceiling.

[Godaddycurse]

really dont understand OP's fixation w/ MPJ. Agbaji >> MPJ considering our roster needs and contract status

[MessiahUjiri]

really dont understand OP's fixation w/ MPJ. Agbaji >> MPJ considering our roster needs and contract status

Because it seems like MPJ is a likely trade candidate in Denver if they actually want to make a move.

And MPJ is a better player than Ochai in every way other than POA defense. Ochai is closer to a better shooting and less aggressive Thybulle, than he is to MPJ, who is closer to Brandon Miller.

[Godaddycurse]

really dont understand OP's fixation w/ MPJ. Agbaji >> MPJ considering our roster needs and contract status

Because it seems like MPJ is a likely trade candidate in Denver if they actually want to make a move.

And MPJ is a better player than Ochai in every way other than POA defense.

He makes 30M more and is a much bigger health risk. We need a low usage 3/D POA defender in our starting lineup. MPJ ain't it.

[MessiahUjiri]

really dont understand OP's fixation w/ MPJ. Agbaji >> MPJ considering our roster needs and contract status

Because it seems like MPJ is a likely trade candidate in Denver if they actually want to make a move.

And MPJ is a better player than Ochai in every way other than POA defense.

He makes 30M more and is a much bigger health risk. We need a low usage 3/D POA defender in our starting lineup. MPJ ain't it.

He played 81 games last year. His injury risk seems to be behind him.

Agree on needing better defense, but Ochai is ideally more of a 20MPG guy, and MPJ is a 20PPG guy. If you’re arguing that Ochai > MPJ, then that says something about your judgement skills.

[Godaddycurse]

Because it seems like MPJ is a likely trade candidate in Denver if they actually want to make a move.

And MPJ is a better player than Ochai in every way other than POA defense.

He makes 30M more and is a much bigger health risk. We need a low usage 3/D POA defender in our starting lineup. MPJ ain't it.

He played 81 games last year. His injury risk seems to be behind him.

Agree on needing better defense, but Ochai is ideally more of a 20MPG guy, and MPJ is a 20PPG guy. If you’re arguing that Ochai > MPJ, then that says something about your judgement skills.

Yes i'm arguing Ochai is worth more than MPJ, both on the trade market and to this current rebuilding Toronto team.

MPJs injury risk is never behind him considering his history. His back could end his career if it flares again

[Tripod]

You are nuts if you think being the brother of a guy banned from bball WHILE as a Raptor, is minor.

Not a chance the Raps would trade for him only to have all that **** resurface again.

[nomansland]

Thing is, whether that's a good trade or not, it's not going to make a difference unless Murray starts playing better. And if he does, that trade probably isn't necessary.

[MoneyTalks41890]

He makes 30M more and is a much bigger health risk. We need a low usage 3/D POA defender in our starting lineup. MPJ ain't it.

He played 81 games last year. His injury risk seems to be behind him.

Agree on needing better defense, but Ochai is ideally more of a 20MPG guy, and MPJ is a 20PPG guy. If you’re arguing that Ochai > MPJ, then that says something about your judgement skills.

Yes i'm arguing Ochai is worth more than MPJ, both on the trade market and to this current rebuilding Toronto team.

MPJs injury risk is never behind him considering his history. His back could end his career if it flares again

I would trade more for OKC for Ochai than MPJr, assuming some kind of neutral filler.

That MPJr contract is just a killer.

[ConSarnit]

Because it seems like MPJ is a likely trade candidate in Denver if they actually want to make a move.

And MPJ is a better player than Ochai in every way other than POA defense.

He makes 30M more and is a much bigger health risk. We need a low usage 3/D POA defender in our starting lineup. MPJ ain't it.

He played 81 games last year. His injury risk seems to be behind him.

Agree on needing better defense, but Ochai is ideally more of a 20MPG guy, and MPJ is a 20PPG guy. If you’re arguing that Ochai > MPJ, then that says something about your judgement skills.

No one wants to pay a 3+midD wing $40m a year. Even at his best Porter Jr's defense is "ok" and he provides no supplementary skills outside of shooting. He's massively overpaid for his production.

[Texas Chuck]

I do agree that Denver should try and turn Porter into multiple pieces if possible. Just not sure how possible it is. Every time I think I've found a team where he makes sense their fanbase here revolts. And the Denver fanbase by and large still thinks he represents the best use of his max contract despite their tight budget.

So I guess he should just stay where he's valued even though it really feels very very wrong.

[nomansland]

That MPJr contract is just a killer.

Serious question. Is it really though?

6'10" PF who is averaging 19/7/2.9. Shooting 38% on 3's, .605 TS, now can put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim, with mediocre but improved defense and improving his game in different ways every season.

He has 2.5 years left on his deal and it maxes out at $40m per year. Health concerns seem to be behind him.

Maybe there are better contracts out there but as the cap grows, is that really an albatross contract?

[Scoot McGroot]

That MPJr contract is just a killer.

Serious question. Is it really though?

6'10" PF who is averaging 19/7/2.9. Shooting 38% on 3's, .605 TS, now can put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim, with mediocre but improved defense and improving his game in different ways every season.

He has 2.5 years left on his deal and it maxes out at $40m per year. Health concerns seem to be behind him.

Maybe there are better contracts out there but as the cap grows, is that really an albatross contract?

Yeah. The back is ALWAYS a bit of a risk, but the man has only missed 7 of the teams last 187 games, regular season and playoffs combined. I think, quick rough looks at the game logs, but still. If he's healthy and available, he's definitely not an albatross, even if he's a bit overpaid still. And he's been largely healthy and available for the last 2 seasons worth of games or so.

[MoneyTalks41890]

That MPJr contract is just a killer.

Serious question. Is it really though?

6'10" PF who is averaging 19/7/2.9. Shooting 38% on 3's, .605 TS, now can put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim, with mediocre but improved defense and improving his game in different ways every season.

He has 2.5 years left on his deal and it maxes out at $40m per year. Health concerns seem to be behind him.

Maybe there are better contracts out there but as the cap grows, is that really an albatross contract?

Yeah. The back is ALWAYS a bit of a risk, but the man has only missed 7 of the teams last 187 games, regular season and playoffs combined. I think, quick rough looks at the game logs, but still. If he's healthy and available, he's definitely not an albatross, even if he's a bit overpaid still. And he's been largely healthy and available for the last 2 seasons worth of games or so.

The back scares me a bunch. I’d bet it’s more likely he misses 20 or more games this year than fewer than 10.

I also think the back issue can overshadow how bad his attitude can be.

[nomansland]

Serious question. Is it really though?

6'10" PF who is averaging 19/7/2.9. Shooting 38% on 3's, .605 TS, now can put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim, with mediocre but improved defense and improving his game in different ways every season.

He has 2.5 years left on his deal and it maxes out at $40m per year. Health concerns seem to be behind him.

Maybe there are better contracts out there but as the cap grows, is that really an albatross contract?

Yeah. The back is ALWAYS a bit of a risk, but the man has only missed 7 of the teams last 187 games, regular season and playoffs combined. I think, quick rough looks at the game logs, but still. If he's healthy and available, he's definitely not an albatross, even if he's a bit overpaid still. And he's been largely healthy and available for the last 2 seasons worth of games or so.

The back scares me a bunch. I’d bet it’s more likely he misses 20 or more games this year than fewer than 10.

I also think the back issue can overshadow how bad his attitude can be.

Ok now you're reaching. His attitude is great. He's always been a team player and has accepted his role as the #3 option. He never whined when Malone kept him on a very short leash. When the Nugs lost in game 7 last year he apologized and told the team it was his fault. He's maybe not the smartest player and rarely demonstrates a lot of emotion either way, but come on, attitude is not an issue.

And you, from a distance, just would bet that he's going to miss more than 20 games. Dr. Internet with the prognosis.

You'll have to make a better argument that his contract is a killer.

[dcstanley]

DLO/Rui/JHS/Lewis/2nds for MPJ/Saric?

[mademan]

MPJ/Barrett/Dick/IQ

That's a terrible defensive core. We're already paying big money to 1 mediocre defensive wing...really dont want to pay 2 of them.

And add me as another who thinks Ochai has more value than MPJ

[Godaddycurse]

That MPJr contract is just a killer.

Serious question. Is it really though?

6'10" PF who is averaging 19/7/2.9. Shooting 38% on 3's, .605 TS, now can put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim, with mediocre but improved defense and improving his game in different ways every season.

He has 2.5 years left on his deal and it maxes out at $40m per year. Health concerns seem to be behind him.

Maybe there are better contracts out there but as the cap grows, is that really an albatross contract?

Yeah. The back is ALWAYS a bit of a risk, but the man has only missed 7 of the teams last 187 games, regular season and playoffs combined. I think, quick rough looks at the game logs, but still. If he's healthy and available, he's definitely not an albatross, even if he's a bit overpaid still. And he's been largely healthy and available for the last 2 seasons worth of games or so.

He is basically the new Tobias Harris with more injury concerns but a lower percentage of the cap

[BelgradeNugget]

Yeah. The back is ALWAYS a bit of a risk, but the man has only missed 7 of the teams last 187 games, regular season and playoffs combined. I think, quick rough looks at the game logs, but still. If he's healthy and available, he's definitely not an albatross, even if he's a bit overpaid still. And he's been largely healthy and available for the last 2 seasons worth of games or so.

The back scares me a bunch. I’d bet it’s more likely he misses 20 or more games this year than fewer than 10.

I also think the back issue can overshadow how bad his attitude can be.

Ok now you're reaching. His attitude is great. He's always been a team player and has accepted his role as the #3 option. He never whined when Malone kept him on a very short leash. When the Nugs lost in game 7 last year he apologized and told the team it was his fault. He's maybe not the smartest player and rarely demonstrates a lot of emotion either way, but come on, attitude is not an issue.

And you, from a distance, just would bet that he's going to miss more than 20 games. Dr. Internet with the prognosis.

You'll have to make a better argument that his contract is a killer.

I agree with nomansland about his attitude and all Nuggets fans know this. All this "alttitude issue" was build by media after one interview he gave after Nuggets lost, with one quote that was taken out of context. He is a good soldier.

Second thing about his injuries. I don't think he has better chance to miss 20 or more games this year than fewer than 10 because of his back issue. He had 3 back procedures. There is no way if problems comes back he is able to sit it out. So, with him he either don't have a problem and plays, or problem comes back, he needs 4th procedure and he retires. Nothing in between.

That is the reason teams are scered and wouldn't offer real value for him. He may end his career 10 games after a trade.
For Nuggets he is 100% what they need playing with Jokic/Murray and Gordon. There is no better fit in the league for same money. No average starter/bench player + pick or 2 would have the same value for Nuggets as him on the court.

So, there is really small chance he will ever be traded.

[Scoot McGroot]

Serious question. Is it really though?

6'10" PF who is averaging 19/7/2.9. Shooting 38% on 3's, .605 TS, now can put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim, with mediocre but improved defense and improving his game in different ways every season.

He has 2.5 years left on his deal and it maxes out at $40m per year. Health concerns seem to be behind him.

Maybe there are better contracts out there but as the cap grows, is that really an albatross contract?

Yeah. The back is ALWAYS a bit of a risk, but the man has only missed 7 of the teams last 187 games, regular season and playoffs combined. I think, quick rough looks at the game logs, but still. If he's healthy and available, he's definitely not an albatross, even if he's a bit overpaid still. And he's been largely healthy and available for the last 2 seasons worth of games or so.

He is basically the new Tobias Harris with more injury concerns but a lower percentage of the cap

You say that like it's a bad thing!