I've been watching a lot of Nuggets games this year and am I the only one who thinks the Nuggets should upgrade Michael Porter Jr?
He's averaging 16-8-2 on 50/41/90 splits (as of this post) and by all accounts is a fine player. But the Nuggets are paying him $33 million dollars this years. And for that price, he needs to be better than fine. At the age of 25 it's worth wondering what his ceiling is as a player?
I think the Nuggets should look to trade Michael Porter Jr for Mikal Bridges makes a lot of sense on this Denver team.
Bridges, who makes $13 million less than. MPJ, is only 2yrs older than him, is averaging 20/5/4 on 49/32/87splits (as of this post).
Brooklyn clearly isn't competing and maybe the 25 year old Porter is enticing to them. It is interesting to wonder what Porter could be as a #1 option.
There is no question Bridges elite perimeter defense would raise the Nuggets ceiling. The potential starting 5 of Jokic, Gordon, Bridges, KCP, and Murray would easily be one of, if not THE best starting 5 in the league. And helps secure a long term window of top contention. The question is, how much are they willing to give up?
I went on trade machine and if Denver waits until the December 15th window, a potential trade could look like:
Nuggets get: Mikal Bridges, Dariq Whitehead, & Lonnie Walker IV
Brooklyn Gets: Michael Porter Jr, one unprotected first, and two seconds. (maybe 2 firsts if Denver is willing)
Lonnie Walker gives the Nuggets bench more scoring depth and can help take some pressure off KCP at the SG. Essentially the Nuggets must take back around $5.1 in additional salary from the Nets. So there are multiple players the Nuggets could target to get back for their bench.
That's my case for why the defending champion Denver Nuggets should look to trade picks and MPJ for Mikal Bridges and bench depth.
But I really want to know what you guys think! Should the Nuggets mess with their core? Do you think Bridges makes sense for the Nuggets or do you think there's a better fit for their team? Should the Nets look to trade their players for assets and completely rebuild like Sam Presti did in OKC?