Paul Pierce proposes Michael Porter Jr. – DeMar DeRozan Swap Deal

Paul Pierce believes that the Denver Nuggets should swap their underperforming forward Michael Porter Jr for a more tangible asset.

Paul Pierce proposes Michael Porter Jr. – DeMar DeRozan Swap Deal

Michael Porter Jr, DeMar DeRozan (IG images)

The Denver Nuggets have now been knocked out in the second round of playoffs in two consecutive seasons. Many fans and analysts believe that their 2023 NBA title roster has run its course. There are many clamoring for the team to trade any and every player on the Nuggets roster around Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon. Celtics legend Paul Pierce believes Michael Porter Jr. should be on the move now.

Michael Porter Jr has not been the player that Tim Connelly signed to a max extension after his 2020-21 NBA season. The 6’10” forward has barely improved his skillset in this time, and he continues to be inconsistent as a shooter. Porter Jr has some tunnel vision tendencies and can mess himself up on the drive. He has also been battling injuries in the postseason, both in 2023 and in 2024.

Porter Jr. had himself signaled that the team would be willing to move on from him if the Denver Nuggets don’t make a deep playoff run this year. With Gordon, Porter Jr., Jamal Muray all playing injured in these playoffs, it seems the roster has run its course. Paul Pierce believes that the Nuggets have now seen enough from Porter Jr. In his mind, DeMar DeRozan would be a much better fit for the Nuggets now:

For the next five years, if you got the best player, you got to put some pieces . I feel like if they had a DeMar DeRozan with that team right now, with Joker, he don’t need to be the best player or the second-best player every night. He is going to give you more than what Michael Porter Jr. gave you.

Paul Pierce on Nikola Jokic’s supporting cast

What Pierce said about DeRozan rings true, but there are more nuances to the proposed trade. Porter Jr. is among the best shooters in the NBA at his position. The spacing he provides is invaluable for Nikola Jokic, Gordon and Murray to operate in. If the Nuggets do trade for DeRozan, they would be giving up that spacing, but only for marginally better scoring. The way this deal has been proposed makes it unlikely that the incoming Nuggets GM would consider it.

DeMar DeRozan and Michael Porter Jr. are at different junctures

In a way, the careers of Michael Porter Jr. and DeMar DeRozan could not be more different than they’ve been. MPJ is a constant health hazard, and his lack of health was the reason he slid during the NBA Draft. DeRozan, on the other hand, has never had a major injury scare through 16 years of playing pro basketball.

Porter Jr. was drafted due to his extremely high skill levels combined with his rare physical profile. DeRozan, meanwhile, was drafted on the back of his athletic profile and has added to his skill levels. The former Raptors star came into the league as a net-negative player who built himself up on all skills. His enhanced skill level allowed him to command All-NBA money when he signed a contract in 2016.

Porter Jr., on the other hand, has been accused of coasting on his natural talent. Since getting drafted in 2018, there aren’t many skills that fans can pinpoint Porter Jr. to have added. MPJ relies more on his length, athleticism and motor to get his shots, and hasn’t really improved as a ballhandler. DeRozan has become capable as a primary ballhandler over the course of his career, and continues to improve on it.

All of these factors will be taken into consideration if Paul Pierce’s trade idea is something actually entertained by whoever is appointed as the Denver Nuggets’ new GM.

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