The Denver Nuggets shocked the NBA world as they traded Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 first-round draft pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Cameron Johnson. The 14th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft had spent his entire seven-year NBA career with the franchise, playing a key role in their first ever title in 2022-23.
His tenure with the franchise was up-and-down as Porter Jr. often battled injuries. Following an injury-plagued postseason, the Nuggets felt that it was time for the sides to part ways.
In his first comments since joining the Nets, Porter Jr. took aim at his former team.
"I'm really excited for this next chapter out here in Brooklyn," Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. stated Thursday. "I think over there in Denver, I felt like my ceiling had kind of plateaued... I wanted to grow my game. I didn't want to plateau. I want to keep getting better throughout my career."
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Porter Jr. noted that he ran into newly appointed Denver executive vice president of player personnel Jon Wallace two days before the trade. He revealed he was told of the franchise's plan to acquire a backup point guard to feed him the ball.
The long-time Nuggets starter added that he felt like he let the organization and fanbase down with his performance in the postseason. Porter Jr. shared that it hurt that his time with Denver ended with him being injured and unable to perform to the best of his abilities.
He did note that he wasn't surprised with the front office's decision to split up the core. Porter Jr. averaged 18.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.5 blocks per game last season while shooting 50.4% from the field, 39.5% from three-point range and 76.8% from the free-throw line.
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