Michael Porter Jr. started his professional career as the 14th overall pick by the Denver Nuggets in the 2018 NBA draft. He spent the first six seasons of his career in Denver before the Nuggets decided to move on from him this offseason, trading him to the Brooklyn Nets.
With Brooklyn, Porter Jr. is embracing a clean slate after years of playing within Denver’s system. Still, Nuggets head coach David Adelman believes the move ultimately benefited everyone involved. During a press conference, Adelman reflected on Porter Jr.’s time in Denver and the reasoning behind the decision.
“Yeah, he’s had a lot of freedom here,” Adelman said. “And I think Michael, I think this trade was good for everybody. He won a championship with us, he’s one of the main reasons we did it. I woke up today, we talked about their team and the first thing I thought of was game five and we won it. And Mike’s, the shot he made above the break three, through the legs finish, coming from the weak side, contesting.”
David Adelman says the Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. trade was “good for everybody”:
“I thought we used him the right way. I’m sure he would disagree with me completely, which is ok. But we won a lot of games doing it that way. It’s cool to see him have more freedom under Jordi.” pic.twitter.com/dh2q3H6DND
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) January 4, 2026
“Mike has this ability. He always has. But for us, he sacrificed, and that’s just the way it was. Our two-man game has been successful. And him in the corner with Aaron Gordon, the dunker, was quite a thing. And so it’s Michael, you know, I thought we used him the right way. I’m sure he would disagree with me completely, which is okay. But, yeah, we won a lot of games doing it that way.”
For Porter Jr., Denver will always carry deep emotional significance, as it’s where he captured his lone NBA championship in 2023. Over six seasons with the Nuggets, he averaged 16.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
David Adelman Opens Up on What He Misses About Michael Porter Jr.
Although Adelman didn’t have an extended window to coach Michael Porter Jr., he developed a strong personal connection with the former Nugget during that time. Adelman admitted that Porter Jr.’s presence is something the team still feels in the locker room.
“I miss the conversation,” he said. “I think a lot of people are scared to be themselves nowadays. Mike is not. People scoff at that sometimes because maybe they’re scared to say what they actually think. Mike’s gonna say it, whether you agree with him or not.”
While Denver played a major role in shaping Porter Jr. into the player he is today, his athleticism and offensive freedom have become more visible since joining the Nets. In Brooklyn, Porter Jr. has taken on a larger role and is thriving, averaging 25.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game this season.
