The Denver Nuggets have finally moved on from Michael Porter Jr. after six seasons.
Despite being a key member of the Denver Nuggets‘ 2023 NBA Championship run, the team was urged to trade Michael Porter Jr. this season.
Well, the Nuggets did just that as they traded Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cameron Johnson. NBA analyst Bill Simmons described the trade as a ‘miracle.’
With Porter Jr. settling in with the Nets, he reflected back on his time with the Nuggets.
Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver PostMichael Porter Jr. feels he let the Denver Nuggets ‘down’ before departure
Porter Jr. was a shell of his usual self during the Nuggets’ 2025 NBA postseason run. After all, he averaged just 9.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game for the team.
He also shot below 40.0% from the field for the first time in his playoff career. As a result, it’s no surprise that the 27-year-old believes he let the team down last season.
“The taste that I left with the Nuggets organization. I really felt that I let the team down in the playoffs. I went out there and I tried, but I was playing with one arm.
“Legitimately, my shoulder was popped out, I was putting a needle in it every other day trying to get the pain down,” Porter Jr. said on YouTube.
Playing through injuries is never easy and Porter Jr. gave it his all, but it still wasn’t enough. As a result, the veteran forward still regrets how his journey ended in Denver.
“Regardless, I went out there and I tried to play, after the shoulder injury, and I just wasn’t able to be myself, and I wasn’t able to help the team,” Porter Jr. further added. “And that hurts. That’s how my journey with the Nuggets ended.”
Michael Porter Jr. is ‘excited’ for his next chapter
During his career with the Nuggets, Porter Jr. put up 16.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game for the team.
He’s also a career 50.0% shooter from the field and has managed to knock down 40.6% of his three-point shot attempts. Keeping that in mind, it’s obvious that the Nets are getting a terrific player if he stays healthy.
As for Porter Jr., he may be unhappy about his time being over with the Nuggets, but the 27-year-old is looking forward to the next chapter of his career in Brooklyn.
“I’m excited for this next chapter, I know I’m just rambling, but it’s good to be able to get this out before I go to Brooklyn,” Porter Jr. stated.
Considering the Nets finished last season as the 12th seed in the East with an abysmal 26-56 record, it won’t be easy for Porter Jr. to help them reach the playoffs.