Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. remained extremely active with the team during his rookie season despite missing the entire campaign due to injury, staying vocal on the bench and doing his part in helping the team succeed.
Porter, 20, underwent a second back surgery last summer that ultimately cost him his rookie season. He was selected by Denver with the 14th overall pick in the draft last June.
“To be honest, going into the season, I didn’t really expect myself to be able to play at 100 percent if I was to come play,” Porter said last week, according to Mike Singer of the Denver Post. “But like, the way I feel now, it’s leaps and bounds beyond where I thought I’d be at this point. I feel so good. … I feel like I’m a better player than I’ve ever been.”
Despite not seeing any NBA action yet, Porter has impressed his teammates with his confidence, swagger and character during his rookie season. The next four or five months will be important for him, as Singer notes he’s expected to make his professional debut at the Las Vegas Summer League in July.
“What I’ve seen from Michael this year in flashes, is a guy with tremendous size and length, that’s got deep range, that can shoot the ball, that can put the ball on the floor and has great athleticism to finish at the rim,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “This will be a really big summer for Michael.”
There’s more out of the Western Conference tonight:
- Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News examines whether it’s time for the Mavericks to bring Julius Randle back home in free agency this summer. Randle, who’s expected to decline his $9MM player option to become an unrestricted free agent on June 30, was born in Texas and could fit with the young duo of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. Dallas could also pursue a point guard on the open market, such as Charlotte’s Kemba Walker.
- The Lakers have hired Judy Seto as director of sports performance, the team announced on Friday. Seto, who served as the team’s head physical therapist from 2011-16, will oversee the medical care and optimize the health and performance of Lakers players while reporting directly to general manager Rob Pelinka.
- The Kings have expressed interest in Thunder assistant coach Bob Beyer, Marc Stein of the New York Times tweets. Beyer has been an NBA assistant since 2007, making stops with Orlando, Golden State, Charlotte and Detroit before joining Oklahoma City last year. He also served as an assistant with the Raptors during the 2003/04 season.
Kemba aint going to dallas if he leaves hornets i look at knicks as a fall back when kyrie resigns or goes to lakers. Randle however makes a lot of sense in and could form a nice trio. I think dallas trying to trade for beal would also look nice next to doncic.
I agree 100% with everything you said. Kemba would be an awful fit. Bit trading for Beal would be the 2md best thing (1st best would be gettinf klay hut thats not happening)
But the question is, does Dallas have anything Washington would want for Beal? They aren’t going to take Tim Hardaway and some future mediocre 1st round picks. You’re not getting Beal unless Luka is the return and I seriously doubt Dallas wants to do that.
Again i must agree Dallas doesnt have anything. Unless dwight does opt in (evem though he said hes opting out) dwight put some great games together down the stretch along with jalen brunson and josh jackson. Dallas doesnt have much but we have seen some head scratching trades go down recently. Like philly acquiring Butler or nets getting russel. A team/man can hope though. Dallas can also absorb some bad contracts as well. Chances of Beal to Dallas is like a .073% lol
Dallas needs help defensively on the wing and at the guard positions
Hopfully they sign Pat beverly
I would love Randle and Beal (or fall back Beverly).
Can see the Mavs signing Randle, Middleton and trading for Dunn. They then would be set to contend.
Randle has to opt out and leave. He and Zion don’t fit. Dallas needs some muscle…good home coming.
Randle is fool’s gold, at least at the price point of a highly paid starter. Mavs could be in a great position next summer if they don’t screw it up this year. A long term commitment to Randle would be good start in doing that. Maybe an overpay for 1 year. But there have to better options.
Randle probably lands in the 18M-21M range based on how much money is out there.
Mavs could look at a cheap Jabari Parker deal as well. Doubt he gets more than 12M for a 1 yr.
Brogdon would be a good fit for Mavs. Bucks probably can’t afford Brogdon and Middleton. Rozier will also be on their radar and Beverley if they strike out across the board.
A trade is unlikely bc they don’t have assets.
Kemba is unlikely, IF he is offered supermax, he would be a fool to turn it down and hell have a lot of CBA pressure to take it.
Ironically Barnes would be a good fit.