The Denver Nuggets are coming off an up-and-down season that saw them finish fourth in the Western Conference standings but eventually be eliminated in the second round of the playoffs.
Denver had a slow start to the season but they were then able to turn things around as they went on a torrid stretch in the middle of the season before struggling to end the season.
This caused them to fire head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth with just a few weeks left in the regular season, though they were able to make it to the second round of the playoffs where they ultimately fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games.
Nikola Jokic Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets superstar center Nikola Jokic.
© Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
As the Nuggets enter the offseason, they first need to hire a new general manager but they also have some key roster decisions to make as they try to upgrade it around Nikola Jokic.
Of course, Denver does not have a ton of tradeable assets to make some large moves this summer and they also lack enough cap space to be heavy spenders in free agency, which has opened the door for them to possibly move on from one of their star players.
According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, the Nuggets are keeping their “options open” on possibly trading Michael Porter Jr. this offseason.
“Additionally, when the Nuggets' front office was looking around, there was never a sense that owner Josh Kroenke told Booth and others that a deal involving the sharpshooting wing would never happen, sources said. Past reports suggesting that Kroenke wouldn't approve a trade involving Porter were inaccurate, and the Nuggets enter the offseason keeping their options open on that front,” Siegel wrote.
Denver has been reluctant in moving on from Porter Jr. in the past but with the Nuggets suffering another early playoff exit, they could move him this summer to upgrade their roster.
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) passes the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) passes the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
The 26-year-old is coming off the best season of his career, though he did struggle in the playoffs due to a shoulder injury.
Despite this, his value is the highest it has been and there is no doubt that moving him this summer could help Denver retool their roster and possibly chase a title next season.