Trade Proposal: Bringing Back a Key Member of the 2023 Nuggets Championship Team
The Denver Nuggets face increasing financial constraints as their core players become more expensive, limiting their ability to address depth issues and retool as a second-apron team. To maintain their championship aspirations, they may need to trade a top player for greater depth. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report suggests a trade that would bring back a key member of their 2023 title team in exchange for Michael Porter Jr., who underperformed in their second-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Proposed Trade:
– Denver Nuggets receive: Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, pick No. 31, and a 2026 first-round pick (top-four protected, via Indiana Pacers).
-Toronto Raptors receive: Michael Porter Jr.
Buckley notes that Porter, who scored only 25 points over the final four games against Minnesota, failed to deliver as a $30 million player. The Nuggets must consider reshuffling their roster to avoid becoming too costly. This trade would provide Denver with two reliable rotation players—Bruce Brown, a member of their championship team, and Kelly Olynyk—along with valuable draft picks.
Bruce Brown’s Desire to Stay:
During the Nuggets’ championship run, Bruce Brown averaged 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. Although he wanted to stay with Denver, financial constraints led him to accept a lucrative two-year, $45 million offer from the Indiana Pacers. Brown later joined the Toronto Raptors in a trade involving Pascal Siakam. Returning to Denver and winning another title would be an ideal scenario for Brown to secure another significant contract.
Kelly Olynyk as a Key Addition:
Nikola Jokic’s performance was crucial in pushing the Timberwolves to the brink, but the Nuggets struggled without him, blowing a 20-point lead in Game 7. Porter’s poor performance highlighted Denver’s difficulty in winning non-Jokic minutes, as they were outscored by 20.1 points per 100 possessions when he was off the court.
Kelly Olynyk, considered a “poor man’s Jokic,” could help mitigate this issue with his floor-spacing and playmaking abilities. Olynyk averaged 9.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, showcasing his versatility. His skill set would be beneficial for the Nuggets, providing stability during Jokic’s rests.
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