Missouri Ties Could Prevent Nuggets From Trading Michael Porter Jr.

The Denver Nuggets are certainly headed for a transition phase after firing Michael Malone last week. Changes to the front office and coaching staff are on the horizon, and there could be some drastic changes made to the roster during the upcoming off-season. But one of the most likely trade candidates has a collegiate connection to the team’s management, and is something that could prevent him from being dealt.

Nuggets Have Odd Affinity For Michael Porter Jr.

Michael Porter Jr. is in his 6th NBA season. After sitting out his rookie year while rehabbing back issues, he became an integral part of a championship formula, helping Denver capture their first NBA title by averaging 17.4 points per game. He is up to an 18.1 point average in 2024-25, and is posting career highs in assists and rebounds while being his team’s leading three-point shooter.

Porter Jr. has a massive cap hit due to his bloated contract, but his value as a player has likely never been higher. The Nuggets are almost certain to keep their core of Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray intact, which would make Porter Jr. their most valuable asset if they hope to make a roster shift this summer.

Nuggets ownership is unlikely to ever approve a Michael Porter Jr. trade due to his ties to Missouri, per @TheSteinLine

“The Kroenkes have a fondness for Porter that stems from deep ties to their shared alma mater: Missouri. Sources with knowledge of Denver’s thinking have… pic.twitter.com/QNhGCMj8jd

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 12, 2025

But according to a report by Jake Fischer and published by Marc Stein, the 26-year-old small forward the team’s ownership has an affinity with the player that goes deeper than just his current situation. Nuggets’ owner Stan Kroenke and his son Josh both attended the University of Missouri, which happens to be where Porter Jr. played in his collegiate days.

His back problems began in college, which forced Michael Porter Jr. to miss essentially his entire stay at Missouri. He was injured in the first game of the season, and was only able to return for the team’s short-lived postseason run in 2018. He ended up playing in just three games and a total of 53 minutes, but that is apparently enough to create enough of a connection with the Kroenke’s to keep them from seeking a trade.

The Nuggets are 49-32 heading into the final game of the season on Sunday, and are 2-0 under interim head coach David Adelman.