The most consistent rumor in the NBA trade market is the back-and-forth between the Denver Nuggets and the Chicago Bulls. Since last summer, the Bulls have made it known that Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine are available in trade conversations, and with both playing well to start the year, the phones have been ringing. At 16-11 through 27 games and currently fifth in the Western Conference standings, the Nuggets are openly looking for offensive firepower to match the front-running rosters in the league. Reports have leaked that they're narrowing in on LaVine, a two-time All-Star guard who shoots 43.5% from three-point land on nearly eight attempts per game. The former UCLA Bruin's contract is north of $40 million annually over the next three seasons, meaning the Nuggets would need to match that number to acquire his services since they're already over the salary cap this year. Assuming they will not be trading Jamal Murray or Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr. is their lone remaining option to maneuver a deal given the contract restriction. When asked about the potential trade during yesterday's press conference, Porter Jr. had an intriguing take regarding his future with the franchise.
"It's All Noise"
Porter Jr. was drafted by the Nuggets in 2018 and has spent all six years of his NBA career in Denver. Currently navigating his first legitimate trade rumor cycle, he seems unbothered by the prospect of being shipped away or staying put. He's never been shy about vocalizing his desire for a more significant role and more shot attempts and expressing his opinions of how valuable he can be to an NBA franchise. Denver has complete faith in his abilities, judging by the contract extension he signed after his rookie deal expired. He'll average a salary of nearly $38 million annually over the next three campaigns.
MPJ on if the Nuggets front office has reached out to him amid trade rumors:
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) December 24, 2024
"They've reached out to me and said it's all noise. There's nothing serious going on."
"They have no desire to move me right now. But I also know they wouldn't tell me if they wanted to move me." pic.twitter.com/oJz79GQHvh
At 26 years old and already an NBA Champion, it's possible that Porter Jr. would be willing to join a rebuilding roster in exchange for a more prominent role offensively, something that Chicago would offer. Still, no firm statements on his desire to skip town have been made, and the Nuggets have been in contention for each of the last three seasons.
If A Third Team Joins, Deal Could Be Done Soon
According to several sources over the past week, the last hangup between the Bulls and Nuggets executing a deal centered around LaVine and Porter Jr. was the extra salary pieces. Denver's attempt to bridge the salary gap was initially Zeke Nnaji, a notion that Chicago reportedly "balked at." They've since pivoted to finding a third team to help facilitate the blockbuster deal.
The Pistons are a team to monitor as a third party that could help facilitate a Nuggets-Bulls deal for Zach LaVine.
— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) December 24, 2024
If Zeke Nnaji’s contract is a sticking point for Chicago, Detroit has signaled a willingness to absorb salary with cap space in exchange for draft compensation.
Can Chicago and Denver find common ground and complete the swap, or will the entire trade go up in smoke as many other theorized deals have for the Bulls over the past two seasons?
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