Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets

After sitting out the entire 2018-19 season after recovering from back surgery, Michael Porter Jr. made his NBA debut last season and did not really make an impact until after the NBA shutdown. When the league returned to play down in the Orlando bubble, Michael Porter Jr. was one of the best players after the restart, averaging 22 points, 8.6 rebounds, and shooting 42.2% from three-point range in seven of the Nuggets eight final regular-season games. 

Michael Porter Jr. was named to the All-Seeding Games Second-Team as a result of his play and continued his success in the playoffs where he averaged 11.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and shot 38.2% in 19 games. 

Not only does Porter Jr’s success set him up for a breakout season in 2020-21, but gives the Denver Nuggets a third, reliable scoring option on a team that just made the Western Conference Finals. 

Next to Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr. will thrive as a perimeter-oriented threat who is more than capable of scoring at the rim as well. His success on the offensive end of the court however is not replicated on the defensive end, which has caused concerns for the Nuggets coaching staff. 

He is still improving defensively, but as a 6’10” wing, he has all the attributes and measurements to be an elite two-way player down the road. At just 22-years old, Michael Porter Jr. is set to be one of the featured players in the Denver Nuggets rotation and could average upwards of 18 points per game this season with Jerami Grant departing this offseason. 

There are minutes up for grabs within the Nuggets organization and with not much depth on the wing, MPJ will likely see a role similar to the one he had in the NBA bubble. The Nuggets will depend on him for scoring a lot this season when Murray and/or Jokic are not on the court and is a player the Nuggets see themselves being able to utilize within their championship formula for years to come.