4 Michael Porter Jr. trade the Denver Nuggets should seriously consider

This deal works because each team gets what they want. The Blazers get younger and add valuable draft capital for their rebuild, the Sixers add a perfect third option to slot between Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, and the Nuggets get an entire bench.

The Nuggets have Brogdon, a veteran guard who can score and shoot with the best of them, Thybulle, one of the best wing defenders in the entire NBA, and a solid backup center in Reed. This move would give the Nuggets and coach Michael Malone a ridiculous amount of versatility and optionality that he hasn’t been able to work with.

They would add depth and gain financial flexibility with three small contracts that are about to expire if the team wants to move on and free up money. It’s a good way to get out of Porter Jr.’s contract while improving at the same time. Brogdon is arguably a better shooter than Porter and can handle the ball and get to the rim in a way that MPJ never could.

Thybulle is not a good offensive player, but with KCP and Gordon, he could turn the Nuggets defense into an elite unit. Reed would be the best replacement Jokic has had in ages. As with the Jazz trade, this assumes Braun will enter the starting lineup at small forward and the newly acquired players will help make up a significantly improved bench.

First line:

G Jamal Murray

G – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

F-Christian Braun

F-Aaron Gordon

C – Nikola Jokic

Bench:

G-Malcolm Brogdon

F-Matisse Thybulle

F – Peyton Watson

C-Paul Reed