Although the Denver Nuggets look as if they’re ready to turn things around after winning seven of their last 10 games, it might be too early to say that they’ve completely turned the corner.<\/p>\n
This season, Nuggets center Nikola Jokic<\/a> has probably been more critical of his team than ever before. In that same vein, tag team partner Jamal Murray<\/a> has been getting criticized<\/a>\u00a0after stumbling into the ring. However, the buck doesn’t stop there, as Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth is even being targeted<\/a>.<\/p>\n All of that has led to Denver being rumored to have interest in making a blockbuster move. However, rather than Murray, it’s Michael Porter Jr.<\/a> who would be the odd man out. In fact, Porter was part of the trade package<\/a> that the Nuggets offered to the Los Angeles Clippers to acquire Paul George<\/a> in a sign-and-trade. Porter is an imperfect player as well but his steady development runs perpendicular to Murray’s decline, giving him more trade value<\/a> than the standout guard.<\/p>\n If the Nuggets do make a splash trade involving Porter, the initial thought was<\/a> that it would be for Chicago Bulls wing Zach LaVine<\/a>. With Denver looking for ways to create offense that aren’t Jokic-centric, his guard skills and volume scoring ability made him an intriguing fit. However, according to HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto, “there are also internal questions<\/a>” about where he and Murray “would coexist effectively on both sides of the ball.”<\/p>\n To that point, Murray has never played in a backcourt with a player who was as capable a shot-creator and scorer as LaVine. Even former MVP Russell Westbrook<\/a> pales in comparison to his fellow UCLA alum in that regard. With there being only one ball, it’s possible that the two would find it hard to mesh in the Mile High.<\/p>\n The defensive end is even more problematic, with Murray and LaVine both often guilty of having poor effort. Due to Murray’s injury history, there are questions about if he can hold up physically as well.<\/p>\n Consequently, “NBA scouts and executives… believe Denver should try and dangle” Porter for Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler<\/a>.<\/p>\n Butler reportedly prefers to be traded<\/a>, as the Heat have yet to acquiesce to his contract demands<\/a>. However, Heat godfather Pat Riley has said that Miami won’t be moving Butler, at least not before<\/a> the Feb. 6 trade deadline. Riley could always change his mind. It just seems like a highly catastrophic or fortuitous chain of events would have to occur for that to transpire.<\/p>\n If a team is willing to offer a king’s ransom for Butler, it’s Riley’s job to fully explore that scenario. Conversely, if Butler’s relationship with the front office or his teammates grows frigid, they might consider themselves better off without him.<\/p>\nNuggets Urged To Find Alternative To Zach LaVine Trade<\/h2>\n
Not An Ideal Candidate<\/h3>\n