Fansided · Feb 16
Bittersweet breakout in the trade that solved the Nuggets' biggest problem
Jan 12, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. (17) looks on during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesMichael Porter Jr.'s taken the next step. He's having a tremendous season for the Brooklyn Nets. But the Nuggets had a real big problem last summer, and they couldn't afford to keep him. They were way over the luxury tax threshold, and MPJ was going to be owed a lot of money. They needed to find a trade partner to accommodate his large contract.