The Denver Nuggets were eliminated from the playoffs in the second round by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the MVP point guard, and his team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Since their 2023 championship win, the Nuggets have been ousted in the second round for two consecutive years, failing to capitalize on having Nikola Jokic, considered the top player globally.
Throughout the season, the effectiveness of Jokic’s teammates was a constant concern. The problem seemed more about the team not delivering during crucial moments rather than a lack of talent.
During the playoffs, Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. struggled, hindered by a shoulder sprain. In the series against the Thunder, Porter Jr. only managed to average 7.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, making 32.2% of his field goals and 25.0% of his three-point attempts. His statistics were somewhat inflated by a single 21-point performance in Game 3.
Paul Pierce, the legendary Boston Celtics forward and Hall of Famer, has suggested that the Nuggets consider trading Michael Porter Jr. during the offseason, pointing towards the Sacramento Kings as a potential trade partner.
“Bringing someone like DeMar DeRozan into the mix with Jokic could really benefit the team,” Pierce explained. “DeRozan doesn’t need to be the top player every night. Even if he just provides a solid 15 points, or 20 to 25 on a good night, that would be a significant upgrade over what Porter Jr. has contributed.”
DeRozan, a six-time All-Star, has proven himself as a reliable scorer and could ease some of the offensive pressures on Jokic. Although DeRozan, at 35, may not be improving with age, he could still serve as an effective partner for Jokic for a couple of seasons. In his first season with the Kings, he averaged 22.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists with a shooting line of 47.7/32.8/85.7.
Should the Kings decide to pursue Porter Jr., they would need to consider adding more incentives to make the trade appealing. However, taking on Porter Jr., who is due $79 million over the next two years, might not align with their long-term financial plans.
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