There’s no reason for the Denver Nuggets to want to make a big trade this summer. They just won the franchise’s first NBA title and managed to retain much of their championship core.
Hopefully the lack of changes will continue throughout the season and everything goes according to plan. However, if the Nuggets don’t look too hot after a few months, there could be reason to make a trade.
Should the Denver Nuggets trade Michael Porter Jr.? for the Detroit Pistons? Probably not, unless there’s a big, unexpected drop in his and the team’s output.
The 25-year-old winger started 62 regular-season games for Denver, playing about 29 minutes per appearance. During those matches, Porter Jr. averaging 17.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 48.7% from the field and 41.4% from deep.
Sure, his numbers dipped slightly in the playoffs, but he was still serviceable on both ends of the floor.
Denver locked him up for the foreseeable future, as he signed a five-year, $179.3 million contract extension before last season. If all goes according to plan, Porter Jr. will serve as a pillar for sustained success in the Mile-High City. His youth and diverse skill set make him a valuable asset for the Nuggets. Trading him for a pair of shooters in Bogdonovic and Burks doesn’t make much sense.
Final points for the Denver Nuggets-Detroit Pistons trade:
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Again, this isn’t something the Nuggets should consider unless they see something in Porter Jr. makes them question paying all that money.
If for some reason his production falls off a cliff, then by all means, bring in Detroit’s wing and bolster the depth. There is some truth to Denver’s newfound need for depth. Bruce Brown and Jeff Green both found new homes in free agency this summer – each playing a key role in last year’s title run.
Burks could fit the Nuggets’ bench, while Bogdanovic could slot into the starting lineup.
Burks played 51 games for the Pistons last season. The veteran averaged 12.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 43.6% from the field and 41.4% effective from long range. As for Bogdanovic, he is the main source of offense for this struggling Detroit team. He averaged 21.6 points per game and was very efficient at scoring. The Croatian wing shot 48.8% overall and 41.1% from beyond the arc.
Despite the benefits of carrying a sniper duo, giving up Porter Jr. at this point it makes no sense.
