Michael Porter Jr.: 'Might Have to Break It Up' If Nuggets Don't Win 2025 NBA Title

[Street Knowledge]

Michael Porter Jr. believes the Denver Nuggets could be due for major roster turnover if the team falls short of the 2025 NBA title.

"If we don't win it this year, we all know they might have to break it up," Porter told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

The Nuggets are looking to capitalize on a tenth season led by reigning MVP Nikola Jokić, who is averaging a league-high 31.5 points through four games.

Jokić and the Nuggets are set to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night in a rematch of the second-round series Denver lost in seven games this May.

Denver has yet to win in regulation this season and required overtime to claim consecutive wins over the Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets earlier this week.

The Nuggets are still adjusting to the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a key part of the team's 2023 championship roster who signed a three-year deal with the Orlando Magic in free agency.

Denver also gave up draft capital in order to move former sixth man Reggie Jackson and his $5.25 million player option, a trade that alongside Christian Braun's transition into the startling lineup thinned the team's bench depth.

In addition to the previous exits of Bruce Brown and Jeff Green, the Nuggets are now missing multiple role players who contributed to the 2023 championship run.

The Nuggets' biggest moves of the offseason were adding veteran guard Russell Westbrook and giving both Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray extensions.

Denver is currently about $5 million below the second tax apron, below which they are hard-capped, per Spotrac. That has limited the team's ability to build around Murray and Jokić as they look to construct another title contender.

Jokić, who turns 30 this February, is currently signed through the 2026-27 season with a player option for 2027-28.

The Nuggets may have locked in Jokić alongside Murray, Porter and Gordon for at least the next two seasons, but it sounds like Porter is expecting that core to be broken up should Denver exit the playoffs early for the second straight season.

Michael Porter Jr.: 'Might Have to Break It Up' If Nuggets Don't Win 2025 NBA Title

 

[feelosofer]

Ironic considering the albatross of a contract they gave him (MPJ)

 

[EarlyEarly]

Dude basically putting his hand up if they lose.

 

[Thavoiceofthevoiceless]

People can blame the MPJ contract, but the Nuggets would still be screwed under this new CBA just like other teams and contenders that will eventually have to join them.

Role players contracts become albatross when you factor in the luxury tax, which is why teams have the right idea of looking in 2nd round picks and G-League players on long term deals. Unfortunately for a team like Denver in a championship window, they don't have time to wait for those guys to become ready.

It's a situation that I don't even think teams know of the solution unless you have players willing to leave on the table.

It's easy for a team like the Pelicans to tell Ingram that they don't want to pay him for his services when they already have someone on the roster waiting in the wings to take his place at a cheaper amount.

 

[Mike_Pipeson]

Might as well begin the process today

 

[Rekkapryde]

Might as well begin the process today

I'd trade him for a couple of pieces

 

[Kunty McPhuck]

The way Jokic is being run into the ground at the start of this season will be a lot sooner than MPJ thinks. Don't get anywhere without a bench and Denvers bench at the moment will have the starters limping over the line by April

 

[pete clemenza]

Why are theses players saying this? First Giannis and now MPJ.

 

[Thavoiceofthevoiceless]

Why are theses players saying this? First Giannis and now MPJ.

NBA players lack of self-awareness has always flown under the radar.

 

[nightwing2016]

Calvin Booth is a bad gm. Denver needs to move on from him. Backup center and guard was always an issue and he is trying to push a youth movement in the middle of Jokic’s window.

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

Look at this loser ass mentality. It's no surprise that @Squirrel from Meteor Man is his #1 stan.

@Squirrel from Meteor Man remember how you kept trying to claim MPJ was better than Jokic?

Stat geeks like yourself can only judge value and worth in numbers and awards. A healthy MPJ is more talented and more equipped to be the best player on the Nuggets.

MPJ would be the most talented player on the floor, with the skill set and athleticism to take over games when necessary.

They told me I was crazy when I said MPJ the best player on the team.

I see you’ve been running from that MPJ smoke. Remember when you said I was crazy for saying he was the best talent on the team? “But but but Jokic!”

Never forget.

 

[Thavoiceofthevoiceless]

Calvin Booth is a bad gm. Denver needs to move on from him. Backup center and guard was always an issue and he is trying to push a youth movement in the middle of Jokic’s window.

Based on the new CBA and luxury tax, he doesn’t really have a choice. Other teams are going to have to start following it to and not just them.

 

[DraymondT]

Wild shyt to say 2 weeks into the season. And that wit Mike Malone comments I think the team knows they fukked up losin KCP and they won't be able to replace him. It seems like they accepted they worse now and just waitin for season to end after Jokac led em to biggest game 7 choke in NBA history

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

Stop hiding from this thread @Squirrel MPJ's #1 Stan Man. Coward.

 

[Squirrel from Meteor Man]

The title they won against poor (and injured) competition gave them a false reality that they were good enough to compete for years to come. They also drafted a bunch of guys who play the same way.

The salary cap is kicking their ass, and Jamal Murray is washed. Free MPJ and let him go to a team where he can show off the entire arsenal

Someone tell @Gil Scott-Heroin he can stop trying to bait me I will NEVER engage in a debate with him after he ran and hid for over a year from this board due to Draymond Green being absolute garbage.