An NBA analyst has suggested a major trade between the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz this offseason.
Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade:
– Denver Nuggets receive: Lauri Markkanen
– Utah Jazz receive: Michael Porter Jr.,
the No. 28 pick in 2024,
first-round swaps in 2026, 2028, and 2030;
second-round picks in 2025, 2026, and 2029
Lauri Markkanen played 55 games for the Jazz this season, averaging 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks, with shooting percentages of 48.0% from the field, 39.9% from three, and 89.9% from the free-throw line. He won the 2022-23 Most Improved Player of the Year Award and has one year left on his contract.
Michael Porter Jr. appeared in 81 games for the Nuggets, averaging 16.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, shooting 48.4% from the field, 39.7% from three, and 83.6% from the free-throw line. Porter Jr. is under contract for $35.9 million next season, followed by $38.3 million and $40.8 million over the next two seasons.
Hughes argued that while Markkanen is a better player than Porter, his next contract will likely be more expensive. He also noted the injury concerns surrounding Porter but mentioned that Porter is younger and has played more games than Markkanen over the past two seasons. If Utah is hesitant to offer a max contract to Markkanen and if other teams don’t make a better offer, this trade could be feasible.
Markkanen is set to earn $18 million next season, with career averages of 18.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks. Porter Jr. has career averages of 15.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. Utah missed the playoffs this year, while Denver was eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round in seven games.
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