New Report on Nuggets Player Ownership Refused to Trade

A new report reveals that Denver Nuggets ownership put a stop to a potential trade

Dec 23, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and forward Aaron Gordon (32) and forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The Denver Nuggets have taken over headlines after firing head coach Mike Malone and general manager Calvin Booth with just four games left in the regular season. At 47-32, Denver is just a win away from gaining home-court advantage in the playoffs as the fourth seed, but also a loss away from falling back to the Play-In Tournament.

The two exited the organization just over 19 months after helping the Nuggets win their first NBA title. Denver once again had an incredible offense spearheaded by Nikola Jokic, but struggled mightily on defense.

Mar 10, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) and center Nikola Jokic (15) talk during a time out against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

An article from Hardwood Paroxysm of The Denver Dig gives insight into the reasons for the firing of the two. After winning the NBA Finals in 2023, the article details how it all fell apart, mentioning that one of the pathways to getting back on track was trading forward Michael Porter Jr.

"Trading Michael Porter Jr. was the most obvious pathway, but sources say not only was the market cool on Porter for multiple reasons but ownership had said two months before the deadline they were against trading Porter," the article reads.

The Denver Nuggets’ ownership was reportedly against trading Michael Porter Jr., per @HPbasketball

“Trading Michael Porter Jr. was the most obvious pathway, but sources say not only was the market cool on Porter for multiple reasons but ownership had said two months before the… pic.twitter.com/v7aLx6vv7r

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 8, 2025

Porter Jr. has spent his entire career with the Nuggets after being drafted in 2018. Putting up 18.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists this season, he's a great talent at 26 years old. However, while many would have thought his market value would be high enough for Denver to get back more well-rounded assets, there wasn't much to receive in the first place.

Now that Booth is no longer the GM, questions arise regarding the future of the roster. How will the Nuggets re-tool the roster around Jokic? Will they move on from his running mates, Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray? The offseason will certainly be interesting.