By winning five out of their last six games, the Denver Nuggets look like they\u2019ve weathered a wintertime storm.<\/p>\n
Despite being a championship contender with a perennial MVP candidate<\/a>, 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<\/a>, opposing teams looking for Michael Porter Jr.<\/a>-shaped gold. That being said, even more important than the Nuggets seeming to right the ship is that they\u2019ve done so without making major changes.<\/p>\n There are certain trends to monitor.<\/p>\n The Nuggets are 6-1 when Russell Westbrook<\/a> 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\u2019s energized the Nuggets at both ends. Seldom-used second-year guard Jalen Pickett<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Cutting through the cheer, Porter\u2019s candid response to the trade speculation raises questions about his relationship with the front office.<\/p>\n MPJ on if the Nuggets front office has reached out to him amid trade rumors:<\/p>\n “They’ve reached out to me and said it’s all noise. There’s nothing serious going on.”<\/p>\n “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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) December 24, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nMichael Porter Jr.\u2019s Trade Rumor Reaction Reveals Nuggets\u2019 Cloud<\/h2>\n
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