By winning five out of their last six games, the Denver Nuggets look like they’ve weathered a wintertime storm.
Despite being a championship contender with a perennial MVP candidate, the concerns about their play had reached a boiling point. To that point, the Nuggets are normally a team that stays in the shadows. Over the past couple of weeks, Denver has become the center of trade rumors, opposing teams looking for Michael Porter Jr.-shaped gold. That being said, even more important than the Nuggets seeming to right the ship is that they’ve done so without making major changes.
There are certain trends to monitor.
The Nuggets are 6-1 when Russell Westbrook starts. In those six wins, the 2017 NBA MVP is averaging 12.8 points, 7.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game. With his speed, playmaking, and basketball IQ, he’s energized the Nuggets at both ends. Seldom-used second-year guard Jalen Pickett has averaged 15.1 minutes per game in December and played well in his minutes. His guard skills and point-of-attack defense have helped stabilize the second unit.
Michael Porter Jr.’s Trade Rumor Reaction Reveals Nuggets’ Cloud
Cutting through the cheer, Porter’s candid response to the trade speculation raises questions about his relationship with the front office.
MPJ on if the Nuggets front office has reached out to him amid trade rumors:
“They’ve reached out to me and said it’s all noise. There’s nothing serious going on.”
“They have no desire to move me right now. But I also know they wouldn’t tell me if they wanted to move me.” pic.twitter.com/oJz79GQHvh
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) December 24, 2024
The communication is there between Porter and the executives. Following their win over the Phoenix Suns, he admitted that they attempted to pour ice on the rumors. However, he also acknowledged that he didn’t believe they would tell him the truth if they wanted to trade him.
In the end, Porter doesn’t “take it personally” because there’s a business side to the NBA. He also appreciates the experiences he’s had since being drafted by the Nuggets. His arduous journey to stardom has given him a mature outlook.
MPJ on trade rumors:
“I’ve overcome so much in my life. I’ve gone through so much with my family. I’ve gone through so much personally that little stuff like a trade rumor, I leave that stuff up to God. I have zero stress about it.”
“I love where I’m at.” pic.twitter.com/a3j43ntfyx
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) December 24, 2024
With that being said, NBA executives are known to leave players in the dark. Such incidents that have led to all-league defenders Jrue Holiday and Marcus Smart feeling resentment towards the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics, respectively. More recently, the offseason blockbuster trades involving the New York Knicks seemed to catch Donte DiVincenzo, Mikal Bridges, Julius Randle, and Karl-Anthony Towns by surprise.
So, being given the runaround wouldn’t mean that there’s a schism between Porter and the front office. However, his acknowledgment that he doesn’t believe they would be that forthcoming isn’t irrelevant. It’s interesting because they undoubtedly would give Nikola Jokic enough respect to keep him in the loop, if he even wanted to be of course. If Jamal Murray was being shopped, they probably would be completely honest with him as well.
So why not him?
Sweat Equity
Whether Porter’s as talented as Jokic or Murray isn’t as important as the sweat equity he’s built alongside them.
Since being drafted, Porter has worked diligently to become the best player he can be despite having to overcome serious injuries. In that time, he’s had plenty to show for it. In fact, he’s been among their best in-game performers several times over. After giving that much of himself to the team and playing as well as he has, he deserves nothing less than the truth.
Frankly, Porter’s comments reveal the dark cloud that still hangs over the Rocky Mountains. He wants to be seen as part of their Big 3, if not on equal footing with at least one of his co-stars. However, he doesn’t seem to believe that’s how the Nuggets see him. That problem may not be their focus right now but they should keep in mind that when it rains, it pours.
