Is Michael Porter Jr is to be traded? As the focus now shifts towards the team making changes before the February trade deadline, the name of the Denver Nuggets star has popped up in the discussion. As highlighted by reporters Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, “What began with the Nuggets exploring the feasibility of trading Porter for Paul George this past summer, before George bolted Clipperland for Philadelphia in free agency, has expanded to internal discussions this season, sources say”. Amidst all these rumors by reported sources, the player in question himself has now come out to give his two cents on the matter.

In the aftermath of the Denver Nuggets’ recent matchup against the Phoenix Suns, Michael Porter Jr participated in the presser. When asked if the Nuggets front office had reached out to him amid trade rumors, he replied “They’ve reached out to me and said it’s all noise. There’s nothing serious going on.” The player believed that he would have been certainly informed if any changes were being made, and they involved him. Highlighting the confidence that the franchise had shown towards him, he added, “They have no desire to move me right now. But I also know they wouldn’t tell me if they wanted to move me.”

It is no secret that the Denver Nuggets continue to have a back-and-forth struggle during the ongoing season. Having won 5 of their last 6 games now, the franchise has improved their record. They currently occupy the 5 seed on the Western Conference Table. Along with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. stands out as a significant scorer. After all, throughout 26 games, he has managed to average 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. Despite this, it is his name that is gaining the most traction amidst trade rumors.

The conversation about a potential Michael Porter Jr. trade first began through Tony Jones and Sam Amick’s ‘The Athletic’ article. The same highlighted the Nuggets’ desire to upgrade with a wing scorer. The franchise had discussed adding Paul George by trading Michael Porter Jr. and Zeke Nnaji to the LA Clippers. Now, as the franchise reportedly sets its eyes on Zach LaVine, Porter Jr.’s name is back in the discussion.

Michael Porter Jr’s existing $35.9 million salary for the 2024-25 season makes him a valuable trade prospect. Jamal Murray has a salary on a similar level ($36 million). However, the timing of his $208 million extension saves him from a trade. The same thing also goes for power forward Aaron Gordon. In light of this, Michael Porter Jr would need the voice of another official to assure him that he isn’t going to be shifted. Fortunately, one of them now has.

Michael Malone denies the Michael Porter Jr. trade rumors: “A lot of it is noise”

NBA reporters also had the discussion about the trade rumors with the team’s head coach, Michael Malone. Mile High Sports reporter Ryan Blackburn was able to corner him regarding the same query. In turn, Malone replied “A lot of it is noise. I mean, I don’t know where it comes from. You see different things that are out there, and you never want that stuff getting out there. But I’ve talked to Calvin, and Calvin’s had a good pulse on that stuff. And whenever that stuff is happening, he’s in touch with the guys and their agents to let them know what is real and what is not real”.

Whatever changes would be made, Malone believes won’t take place at the moment. After all, the Denver Nuggets are only “25 games into the season”. The head coach also unintentionally addressed Michael Porter Jr.’s doubt about the front office not telling if they want to move him. He said “I think for years, our front office has done a great job of communicating with players if there is something so (that) there’s never a surprise. There’s never our guys being caught off guard. But that’s something that I think our front office has done an outstanding job of.”

Do you believe that Michael Porter Jr’s trade would benefit the Denver Nuggets? If so, then how? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below.