An NBA analyst has suggested a significant trade between the Toronto Raptors and the Denver Nuggets this offseason.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade:
Trade Proposal:
- Denver Nuggets receive: Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, pick No. 31, and a 2026 first-round pick (top-four protected via IND)
- Toronto Raptors receive: Michael Porter Jr.
The Nuggets faced a tough loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of this year’s playoffs, losing in seven games. Meanwhile, the Raptors missed the postseason entirely.
“Denver shouldn’t dismiss the playoff failure,” Buckley noted. “The Nuggets’ lack of depth was exposed in that series. Porter, who managed only 25 total points over the final four outings, was unsettlingly quiet for a $30 million-plus player who largely makes his money on the offensive end.
“Denver has to at least consider moving a player or two around, or this roster will become too pricey to keep. If Porter becomes the odd man out, this could be the kind of package the Nuggets pursue: two plug-and-play rotation players for next year’s playoff run in Brown (a member of Denver’s title team) and Olynyk, plus an early second-round pick and future first-rounder to either grow the young core or sweeten a trade offer down the line.”
Michael Porter Jr.’s Season:
- Games: 81
- Averages: 16.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists
- Shooting: 48.4% from the field, 39.7% from three-point range, 83.6% from the free-throw line
- Salary: $35.9 million next season
Bruce Brown’s Season with Toronto:
- Acquired from the Indiana Pacers in the Pascal Siakam trade
- Games: 34
- Averages: 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks
- Salary: Club option worth $23 million for next season
Brown was instrumental in the Nuggets’ 2023 NBA championship win over the Miami Heat. According to Doug Smith of The Toronto Star, the Raptors are planning to trade Brown this offseason.
This proposed trade would give the Nuggets much-needed depth and future assets, while the Raptors would acquire a young star in Michael Porter Jr.
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