Michael Porter Jr. is remaining patient while his agent works out an extension with the Nuggets, writes Mike Singer of The Denver Post. Porter is eligible for a new deal worth up to $168MM over five years, but Denver may be reluctant to commit the full amount because of his injury history. He had back issues coming out of college and sat out his entire rookie season.
Porter is coming off a breakthrough year that saw him average 19.0 points and 7.3 rebounds in 61 games. He’s clearly a part of the team’s future and he is optimistic that agent Mark Bartelstein will work out a favorable deal.
“Everything is sounding great, in the direction that I’d like to be headed,” Porter said. “Nothing is set in stone, but everything is going smooth as far as that goes. One thing about Mark – something probably could’ve been done already but Mark is the best in the business. I told him, ‘Take your time, do your thing. I’m in no rush, I’m in grindmode. I’m not stressed about it. I’m just in the gym, and whenever you’ve got some news for me, hit me up.’”
There’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Argentinian forward Gabriel Deck faces an uncertain future with the Thunder, according to Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman. He’s set to make $3.67MM this season, but the team hasn’t stated how much he’s guaranteed or how the contract is structured. There are two more years on the deal he signed in April, but they are both non-guaranteed. There were rumors last month that the 26-year-old was considering a return to Spain. He averaged 8.4 PPG and 4.0 RPG in 10 games last season.
- The Thunder will have plenty of bench players who are worthy of a spot in the rotation, and Brandon Rahbar of Daily Thunder tries to sort out the hierarchy of which ones should get playing time.
- Jazz coach Quin Snyder received a lot of criticism last season for keeping his main rotation players on the court too long, and Sarah Todd of The Deseret News looks at whether that practice is likely to continue.
MPJ said “something could have been done already”, which suggests all or most of the 5/$168. That willbe be 3 guys over $32m for DEN, so almost surely a tax team. Barton $16m and probably Gordon too.
Anyway a trade is out of the question. Nuggets have been heading in a max direction for years.
Nah MPJ has no idea the what amount his contract will be. Pro athletes can barely think/speak rationally. That’s what agents are for
$23-27mm/year sounds enough. He has serious injury history, and the Nuggets have to pay Gordon, Murray, Jokic, Barton, Bol, Campazzo, etc
Cue the comments from people saying MPJ is easily worth the max…
He might be, in a few years, but for now he needs to improve defensively, work on his handle, develop court vision beyond his current tunnel vision and learn that making a play might not always end with him shooting it.
Don’t get me wrong – Denver was probably my favourite team to watch the last two years and I’m enjoying seeing MPJ’s growth – but we are way too quick to clamour for max salaries for as-yet-unproven players.
MPJ is currently closer to Kyle Kuzma than KD if we’re ranking lanky forwards.
His upside is closer to KD, but as we’ve seen time and again, a max contract can take the drive out of a player.
I wish max contracts were only available with some caveats, as it seems most of them end in buy-outs, trades or players demanding a change of scenery these days.
Yes jbl I agree with you, but usually these smaller Max contracts for the young guys work out okay. It’s when you give a guy a Max at age 31 that by the time the guy hits 35 he’s slowed down quite a bit and not earning the mega dollars.
What situation would have to occur for a player like Deck to have a contract where he doesn’t know how much is guaranteed?
Another slow news day I see.
MPJ should have incentives in his contract to make sure he stays healthy.
The Jazz need to sacrifice a little in the win department so that their starters are fresh and injury free in the playoffs. Plus, it’ll develop their bench and young guys faster. Helps they have much more depth this year. Shouldn’t have to sacrifice too many wins because of that depth.
MPJ is a lock for the max, make no mistake about it!
Last year he improved sooo much, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he is an All-Star this year!
If I’m Michael Porter jr, I’m thanking Aaron Gordon as much as possible for helping me get paid the way it looks like he is about to get paid b/c its Gordon that makes Porter jr that much more valuable b/c of the things he does that complements Porter jr, and helps hide his weaknesses