The Nuggets open training camp this week. Ahead of their first practice of the season, they make headlines by agreeing to terms on a new five-year contract worth up to $207 million for forward Michael Porter Jr.
Porter Jr. becomes the third Nuggets player to receive a “max contract.” He joins reining NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. The deal guarantees MPJ at least $182 Million, and if he makes any of the league’s 3 All-NBA teams, he can max out at $207 Mil.
Monday morning, Head Coach Michael Malone and President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly met the media. Connelly sounded confident something might get done soon in regards to a deal for Porter, citing his good relationship with his agent, Mark Bartelstein, of Chicago based Priority Sports.
Porter Jr. was selected 14th Overall in the 2018 draft after playing just 1 game at Missouri. Prior to the injury, there were some mock drafts that had him as the potential top pick in the draft.
After missing his entire rookie season, as his back healed, Porter started to figure things out in 2019 and early 2020. But, it was when the Nuggets made a run to the Western Conference Finals in the NBA’s Bubble, that the league took notice of MPJ.
Last season he averaged just under 20 points and just over 7 rebounds, and helped fill the void down the stretch and in the playoffs left by the injury to Murray.
Porter’s biggest issue continues to be his inconsistency in the defensive end, something he and The Nuggets Coaching Staff have certainly discussed. “For us to be the best team that we can be, Michael Porter needs to be an efficient and engaged two-way player, and he’s aware of that, and he’s making the necessary strides to become that,” Malone said Monday. “And I’m proud of him for that."