Nikola Jokic Getting New Teammates in Place of Michael Porter Jr. has Nuggets Fans Excited: “Now We’re Talking”

Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr.'s relationship seemed fractured after disagreements in the playoffs.

Nikola Jokic Getting New Teammates in Place of Michael Porter Jr. has Nuggets Fans Excited: “Now We’re Talking”

Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. (Image via FirstSportz)

Nikola Jokic rose from the second round to become one of the best basketball players in the world. To aid him were Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Michael Porter Jr. as they won the 2023 NBA title. However, these last two years have tested the core to the limit as they were booted out of the second round.

In the 2024 playoffs, much of that loss was attributed to the lack of bench strength. The Nuggets’ bench was instrumental in landing them their first ever title, and the lack of it was evident as the starters huffed and puffed.

Even though they added Russell Westbrook, the team still struggled in the playoffs. The added injury issues for Porter Jr. and Gordon complicated matters, and they were booted out of the second round despite pushing eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder to 7 games.

During that playoff run, there seemed to be some disagreements between Jokic and Porter Jr. The latter’s shoulder was troubling him, but the Serbian did not want to hear any excuses this deep in the season. Now that relationship is officially over.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the 6′ 10″ forward has been traded to the Brooklyn Nets along with a future 1st round pick in exchange for Cam Johnson. In Johnson, they are receiving a player with similar skills and length.

This trade brings an end to the core that made the Denver Nuggets one of the best teams in the league for the past three seasons. Porter Jr. was an important part of that quartet, as his length and scoring were deemed too important for them to avoid a trade this past deadline.

Nuggets fans believe Nikola Jokic and his teammates are relevant again

Usually, such a move would have Denver Nuggets fans believing the franchise made a mistake. After letting go of Michael Malone, some expected Michael Porter Jr. would start to live up to the potential he displayed while in high school and college.

Nuggets get Bruce Brown and Cam Johnson
Nuggets get Bruce Brown and Cam Johnson (Image via NBA/X)

Instead, that fractured relationship has led to this split. Along with the signing of former bench star Bruce Brown, Nuggets fans believe Nikola Jokic will now have a team with which he can push for another title run. Check out examples of those reactions below:

Nikola Jokic and his starters still need help. However, this move saves them more than $12 million, which they could use to sign other impactful players. Even if Russell Westbrook leaves, signs are that the franchise is geared towards giving their starters the best supporting cast possible.

Michael Porter Jr. could become the star that he was projected to be

Coming out of Missouri, Michael Porter Jr. was touted to be one of the best prospects since LeBron James. However, lingering back issues saw his draft stock tank, but he was finally picked by the Denver Nuggets at No. 14 in the 2018 NBA Draft.

He displayed flashes of brilliance. However, alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, he was clearly the third option. Then, when Aaron Gordon came in, he slid down the pecking order. Now, as he heads west to the Brooklyn Nets, he will instantly become their most important player.

The 27-year-old will have a chance to prove to everyone his true worth as he heads to a team filled with young prospects. The Nets could not use their tanking skills to land a top prospect in the draft. Even then, they used their plethora of picks to select 4 players.

The team will now look to finalize a roster around Porter Jr., Nic Claxton, and possibly Cam Thomas. The Nets might finally start to become relevant as they land a potential All-NBA superstar in the Indiana native.

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