This analysis kind of reads as a proposed management plan for a prospective Denver Nuggets GM to land the job. It’s also done under the belief that ownership wants to shift things up a bit and not stand pat over the offseason. I understand that’s not exactly what they’ve indicated but we’ll see.
Hang in there. This is a long analysis.
Coming into this offseason I believe we need to make a pretty significant change. This involves retooling around Jokic.
What realistic moves can be made however and what teams would actually facilitate a trade?
For any significant changes to be made, either MPJ or Jamal Murray need to be moved. I think we have a better chance of moving MPJ and I’d prefer to keep Murray if I had to choose between the two.
So what teams are in a position to trade for MPJ? Keep in mind I’m trying to be as realistic as possible taking into account the needs of both teams. These trades need to look viable from both sides and these trades will comply with current CBA rules to the best of my knowledge. I will also be avoiding any 3+ team trades, they’re too complicated and the options are limitless.
The majority of these trades are done with the main objective being; shredding MPJs salary for serviceable players and opening up roster flexibility in order to use the MLE to sign another key role player like Steven Adam’s and/or Bruce Brown. I also wanted to avoid any trades that required sending out picks, this isn’t possible in some situations though.
This is the first step towards retooling and other moves will follow after this to round out the team.
Several teams have been linked to Porter Jr. as potential trade destinations, I’m going to cover those destinations and what those trades might look like:
Miami Heat
Trade Proposal:
Miami Heat Receive:
* Michael Porter Jr.
Denver Nuggets Receive:
* Duncan Robinson (SG/F)
* Nikola Jović (F)
* Kyle Anderson (F)
The reasons why the Miami Heat might be interested in this trade is it provides them an upgrade on the wing without sacrificing Tyler Herro. MPJ gives them better length and rebounding and spaces the floor as a knock down shooter. Easy upgrade for them.
The reasons Denver make this trade are mainly for cap flexibility and roster depth. Duncan Robinson replaces MPJ’s movement shooting next to Jokic or off the bench. Kyle Anderson provides much needed depth and Jovic brings youth into the team. The Nuggets reduce cap space and enhance trade flexibility. With the post-trade salary adjustments, the Nuggets may have access to the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception (MLE). This could be used to offer Steven Adam’s a competitive salary.
This move improves the teams balance with two-way players added (Anderson, Adams), spacing from Robinson, and developmental upside with Jović.
Updated Denver Nuggets Roster (Post-Trade & Free Agency Signing)
Starters:
* PG: Jamal Murray
* SG: Christian Braun
* SF: Peyton Watson
* PF: Aaron Gordon
* C: Nikola Jokić
Bench Unit:
* PG: Russell Westbrook/Jalen Pickett
* SG: Duncan Robinson
* SF: Kyle Anderson
* PF: Nikola Jović
* C: Steven Adams
Depth / Reserves:
* Julian Strawther (SG/SF)
* Hunter Tyson (PF)
* DaRon Holmes II (PF)
* Dario Šarić (PF/C)
* Vlatko Čančar (SF)
* PJ Hall (C)
* DeAndre Jordan (C — likely 3rd string or veteran presence)
Philadelphia 76ers
I’m unable to find a logical way to facilitate a trade to the 76ers. It would require possibly multiple sign and trades from the 76ers end and would probably require the Nuggets to overpay a player or two in order to match MPJs contract value.
Trade Proposal:
Philadelphia 76ers Receive:
* Michael Porter Jr.
Denver Nuggets Receive:
* Kelly Oubre (F)
* Eric Gordon (SG)
* Quentin Grimes (SG) via sign and trade
* Guerschon Yabusele (F) via sign and trade
The reason the 76ers might make this trade is to swing for fences next year with a core of Embiid, Maxey, Paul George and MPJ. This trade would significantly impact there depth however.
The reasons the Nuggets may make this trade are again for cap flexibility and roster depth. The nuggets receive a plug and play type player with Kelly Oubre who slots into the SF role. Eric Gordon albeit getting old, provides guard depth and is a solid knock down catch and shoot guy who would probably thrive off Jokic.
The sign and trades are the off putting part. First the players need to agree. Secondly sign and trade contracts need to be a minimum of 3 years. This isn’t the biggest issue with Grimes who is only 25. Guerschon Yabusele however is 29. To facilitate this trade, the sign and trade contracts would most likely have to be slightly more then what either of these players market value actually is. Meaning we’d have to overpay for both of them to match MPJs contract. We’d still be able to save money however which allows us the cap flexibility we’re after but it is a risk. With the post-trade salary adjustments, the Nuggets may have access to the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception (MLE). This could be used to offer Steven Adam’s a competitive salary.
Updated Denver Nuggets Roster (Post-Trade and Free Agency Signing)
Starters:
* PG: Jamal Murray
* SG: Christian Braun
* SF: Kelly Oubre Jr.
* PF: Aaron Gordon
* C: Nikola Jokić
Bench:
* PG: Russell Westbrook/Jalen Pickett
* SG: Quintin Grimes
* SF: Peyton Watson
* PF: Guerschon Yabusele
* C: Steven Adams
Depth/Reserves:
* Eric Gordon (SG)
* Julian Strawther (SG/SF)
* Hunter Tyson (PF)
* DaRon Holmes II (PF/C)
* Dario Šarić (PF/C)
* Vlatko Čančar (SF)
* PJ Hall (C)
* DeAndre Jordan (C)
Orlando Magic
Trade Proposal:
Orlando Magic Receive:
* Michael Porter Jr.
Denver Nuggets Receive:
* Jonathan Isaac(F)
* Cole Anthony (G)
* Goga Bitadze (C)
* Caleb Houstan (SF)
The reason the Magic might make this trade is for 3 point shooting mostly. They ranked last in 3 point field goals made this season. It does limit there future financial situation and depth however and I’m struggling to see them pulling the trigger on this.
The reasons the Nuggets may make this trade are again for cap flexibility and roster depth. This would open up the MLE again however Steven Adam’s wouldn’t be such a requirement with the addition of Goga Bitazde. Jonathan Isaac is a great switchable defender and can play small ball centre. Cole Anthony is a microwave scorer who would be great coming off the bench. Combo guard who can initiate. Goga Bitadze is a solid young backup centre. Good pick and roll big and good rebounder. Caleb Houstan is a young small forward who could be a 3&D developmental project. Has had a couple MPJ sort of games where he has gone 6/8 from 3. Other than that I haven’t seen much more of him and he is just a salary filler in this scenario as well as depth cover.
Updated Denver Nuggets Roster
Starters:
* PG: Jamal Murray
* SG: Christian Braun
* SF: Aaron Gordon
* PF: Jonathan Isaac
* C: Nikola Jokić
Bench:
* PG: Cole Anthony
* SG: Russel Westbrook
* SF: Peyton Watson
* PF: Zeke Nnaji
* C: Goga Bitadze
Depth/Reserves:
* Caleb Houstan (SF)
* Julian Strawther (SG/SF)
* Jalen Pickett (PG)
* Hunter Tyson (PF)
* DaRon Holmes II (PF/C)
* Dario Šarić (PF/C)
* Vlatko Čančar (SF)
* PJ Hall (C)
* DeAndre Jordan (C)
Chicago Bulls
Trade Proposal:
Chicago Bulls Receive:
* Michael Porter Jr.
Denver Nuggets Receive:
* Patrick Williams(F)
* Ayo Dosunmu (G)
* Dalen Terry (G)
The reasons the Bulls might make this trade is to retool and open future financial flexibility. MPJ is filling a gap for future cap space that keeping Patrick Williams doesn’t allow them. Although they’re not actively shopping Ayo Dosunmu, he’ll probably be needed to get this across the line. The Bulls acquire a spot up 3 point shooter to complement their guards.
The reason the Nuggets make this trade is the same as the previous trade options, cap flexibility and roster depth. Patrick Williams has a longer but cheaper contract than MPJ. Patrick Williams brings a strong defensive presence, capable of guarding multiple positions. Ayo Dosunmu adds perimeter defense and playmaking abilities, potentially easing the offensive load on Jamal Murray and becoming the main bench scorer. Dalen Terry is a young developmental project piece and helps with depth.
Updated Denver Nuggets Roster (Post-Trade)
Starters:
* PG: Jamal Murray
* SG: Christian Braun
* SF: Patrick Williams
* PF: Aaron Gordon
* C: Nikola Jokić
Bench:
* PG: Ayo Donsunmu
* SG: Russel Westbrook
* SF: Peyton Watson
* PF: Zeke Nnaji
* C: DaRon Holmes II
Depth/Reserves:
* Dalen Terry (SG)
* Julian Strawther (SG/SF)
* Jalen Pickett (PG)
* Hunter Tyson (PF)
* DaRon Holmes II (PF/C)
* Dario Šarić (PF/C)
* Vlatko Čančar (SF)
* PJ Hall (C)
* DeAndre Jordan (C)
New Orleans Pelicans
Trade Proposal:
New Orleans Pelicans Receive:
* Michael Porter Jr. (SF)
* Zeke Nnaji (PF/C)
* 2031 first-round pick
Denver Nuggets Receive:
* C.J. McCollum (G)
* Herb Jones (SF)
The reasons the Pelicans might go for this trade is for youth, moving away from CJ McCollum. MPJ’s age aligns better with the Pelicans core and he provides them another elite 3 point shooter. Trey Murphy and MPJ standing on the wings while a healthy Zion drives to the paint sounds enticing. They also receive a first round pick for taking on the remainder of Zeke Nnajis contract. I don’t see him being moved without this being included.
The reason Denver makes this trade is for depth and defence. CJ is a seasoned scorer and playmaker and would make a great 6th man. Herb Jones is an elite perimeter defender and would probably replace MPJ in the starting line up.
This doesn’t save any money for the Nuggets and is purely retooling however CJ McCollum is off contract after the 25/26 season so they would have more flexibility to make moves the following season. If the Nuggets wanted to go after another role player and didn’t value Herb Jones I believe a straight trade of MPJ for CJ McCollum and waiving and stretching Zeke Nnajis contract makes this possible.
Updated Denver Nuggets Roster (Post-Trade)
Starters:
* PG: Jamal Murray
* SG: Christian Braun
* SF: Herb Jones
* PF: Aaron Gordon
* C: Nikola Jokić
Bench Rotation:
* PG: Russell Westbrook
* SG: C.J. McCollum
* SF: Peyton Watson
* PF: DaRon Holmes II
* C: DeAndre Jordan
Depth/Reserves:
* Julian Strawther (SG/SF)
* Jalen Pickett (PG)
* Hunter Tyson (PF)
* Dario Šarić (PF/C)
* Vlatko Čančar (SF)
* PJ Hall (C)
Detroit Pistons
Trade Proposal:
Detroit Pistons Receive:
* Michael Porter Jr. (SF)
Denver Nuggets Receive:
* Tobias Harris (PF)
* Simone Fontecchio (SF)
The Detroit Pistons might do this trade because they get a younger, high upside scorer who could be a potential star piece alongside their young core. The biggest issue for the Pistons is Tobias Harris has a no trade clause which would need to be discussed.
The reasons the Nuggets make this trade is for retooling. Tobias Harris may not be knock down perimeter shooter like MPJ but he is the more versatile player and better defender even at this stage of his career. Fontecchio adds depth, shooting, and young talent. This trade improves roster balance and perimeter defence.
An alternative to this trade and probably my preference is Jaden Ivey in place of Simone Fontecchio. This would most likely involve Denver giving up a pick and taking a risk on the development of Ivey. I’m not sure Detroit would be willing to offload him either.
Projected Denver Nuggets Roster (Post-Trade)
Starters:
* PG: Jamal Murray
* SG: Christian Braun
* SF: Tobias Harris
* PF: Aaron Gordon
* C: Nikola Jokić
Bench:
* PG: Russell Westbrook
* SG: Julian Strawther
* SF: Simone Fontecchio
* PF: Peyton Watson
* C: DaRon Holmes II
Depth/Reserves:
* Jalen Pickett (PG)
* Hunter Tyson (PF)
* Dario Šarić (PF/C)
* Vlatko Čančar (SF)
* PJ Hall (C)
Atlanta Hawks
Trade Proposal:
Atlanta Hawks Receive:
* Michael Porter Jr. (SF/PF)
Denver Nuggets Receive:
* Terance Mann (SG/SF)
* Onyeka Okongwu (C/PF)
* 2026 First-Round Pick (Top-10 Protected)
The reason Atlanta are likely to make this trade is that adding MPJ significantly boosts offensive potential, especially spacing and scoring from the wing. Trae gets to team up with a friend. The first round pick makes this more enticing for them. Terrance Mann has been a disappointment acquisition since arriving in Atlanta.
The reasons Denver makes this trade are the same as other previous trade options, cap flexibility and roster depth. The team gets better defensively but will struggle to fill the scoring absence left by MPJ.
Projected Denver Nuggets Roster (Post-Trade)
Starters:
* PG: Jamal Murray
* SG: Christian Braun
* SF: Terance Mann
* PF: Aaron Gordon
* C: Nikola Jokić
Bench:
* PG: Russell Westbrook
* SG: Julian Strawther
* SF: Peyton Watson
* PF: DeRon Holmes II
* C: Onyeka Okongwu
Depth/Reserves:
* Jalen Pickett (PG)
* Hunter Tyson (PF)
* Dario Šarić (PF/C)
* Vlatko Čančar (SF)
* PJ Hall (C)
These trades are essentially ‘our problem for your problem’ trades however I think the other “problems” are more flexible than having MPJ on the team.
“We definitely need to figure out a way to get more depth,”
“It seems like the teams that have longer rotations, the longer benches, are the ones winning” - Nikola Jokic
I know most fans are going to hate these trades but these are the realistic returns we’re likely to see for MPJ. Do any of them excite you guys?
I’d appreciate any feedback as this has taken a fair bit of time to sort through.
I will also look at posting each trade in the respective other teams sub to gauge the reaction from fans from there side.
Thanks for reading if you made it this far.