BREAKING: NBA shocking Trade Sends $179 Million Nuggets key man to Magic
The Denver Nuggets have limited options for making significant changes this offseason, except possibly trading Michael Porter Jr. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed 10 unexpected trade ideas for teams to consider this offseason.
One suggestion involves the Nuggets trading Porter to the Orlando Magic for Jonathan Isaac, Cole Anthony, and a 2025 first-round pick. This trade would aim to offload Porter’s five-year, $179 million contract.
“Trading Michael Porter Jr., whose $35.9 million salary for next season could be split into multiple rotation players, is a painful but possibly necessary consideration,” Bailey wrote in a May 26, 2024 article titled “10 Potential NBA Trade Ideas Nobody Is Talking About.”
“For Denver, parting with a high-end talent they developed and won a championship with would be tough, but the Nuggets have promising replacements in Christian Braun and Peyton Watson. Additionally, Cole Anthony’s scoring and Jonathan Isaac’s strong defense would strengthen the bench,” he added.
Magic Rumors: Would Orlando Want to Trade for Nuggets Forward Michael Porter Jr.’s $179 Million Contract?
The Denver Nuggets have limited options for making significant changes this offseason, except possibly trading Michael Porter Jr. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed 10 unexpected trade ideas for teams to consider this offseason.
One suggestion involves the Nuggets trading Porter to the Orlando Magic for Jonathan Isaac, Cole Anthony, and a 2025 first-round pick. This trade would aim to offload Porter’s five-year, $179 million contract.
“Trading Michael Porter Jr., whose $35.9 million salary for next season could be split into multiple rotation players, is a painful but possibly necessary consideration,” Bailey wrote in a May 26, 2024 article titled “10 Potential NBA Trade Ideas Nobody Is Talking About.”
“For Denver, parting with a high-end talent they developed and won a championship with would be tough, but the Nuggets have promising replacements in Christian Braun and Peyton Watson. Additionally, Cole Anthony’s scoring and Jonathan Isaac’s strong defense would strengthen the bench,” he added.
Denver Nuggets Star Michael Porter Jr. Struggled vs. Minnesota Timberwolves in NBA Playoffs
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone on Michael Porter Jr. saying he's to blame for Denver's 2nd round loss to the Timberwolves:
"I'd be remiss if I didn't say that I couldn't disagree with [MPJ] more. I don't want Michael Porter putting the series loss on him. We win together, we… pic.twitter.com/ryNrT9MuRV
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 23, 2024
Porter struggled in the Nuggets’ second-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, scoring in single digits in five of the seven games. He averaged 10.7 points per game while shooting 32.5% from three-point range during the series.
This performance was a significant drop from Porter’s usual production as the team’s third star alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. During the regular season, Porter averaged 16.7 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, with a 39.7% shooting percentage from beyond the arc over 81 starts.
Nuggets Rumors: Denver May Need to Shed Salary in the Coming Years
MICHAEL PORTER JR. IS CLUTCH 😳 pic.twitter.com/bGsoIEOFeH
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 12, 2020
There have been no indications that Denver is looking to trade Porter, but the team’s cap situation is challenging. Porter still has three seasons left on his $179 million deal.
The veteran is set to have a $35.8 million cap hit in 2024-25. Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth mentioned that the team might be willing to enter the second apron of the luxury tax to maintain their competitive roster.
“Calvin Booth leaves the door open for the Nuggets to go into the second luxury tax apron to re-sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope if he opts out of his contract,” DNVR Sports’ Harrison Wind noted in a May 23 post on X. “He didn’t rule it out and said Denver will look at all options. The Nuggets’ top priority is to field a contender.”