Nets Newcomer Michael Porter Jr: My Ceiling Had Plateaued With Nuggets

It’s the end of the road for Michael Porter Jr. with the Denver Nuggets. And from the sounds of things, Porter is OK with it.

After seven years with the Nuggets, Porter was traded to the Brooklyn Nets for Cameron Johnson at the start of the NBA free agency period.

 “I’m really excited for this next chapter out here in Brooklyn. Over there in Denver, I feel like my ceiling had kind of plateaued,” Porter said from Capri, Italy, in a video posted to YouTube, via Vinny Benedetto of the Denver Gazette. “We just have a way of playing, and how (Nikola Jokic) plays, how (Jamal Murray) plays, that two-man game is very potent. That’s how we play.

“I’m so appreciative of the way we played. We end up winning a championship (in 2023), but I do feel like my ceiling in Denver kind of plateaued a little bit. I’m excited for this next chapter in Brooklyn, for sure.”

Porter, 27, averaged 18.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in 77 games this past season, shooting 50.0% from the field and 39.5% on 3-pointers. He missed his entire first season in Denver with an injury but has been a vital part of their starting rotation since. Now, that role will go to Johnson.

“Denver got a great player and a great dude,” Porter said of Johnson. “I’m excited for him to finally compete for a championship over there. I, myself, am excited to expand my game and be able to do what I do.”