Michael Porter Jr. has made some noise as of late, with many lauding his style of play as one that lends to the Denver Nuggets system. The team has done enough to storm to a 30-13 record through the first half of the season, yet they have yet to make the splash they can really produce, tied with the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers with the same win-loss mark.
Porter Jr. has only made limited appearances this season but has gotten a recent opportunity in the wake of a nagging Paul Millsap injury that has pushed him to the sidelines, allowing for the rookie forward to earn some much-needed minutes backing up Jerami Grant.
The splash has been real, as the 21-year-old, who sat out last season after undergoing back surgery for the second time in a calendar year, has scored in double figures in the past five games.
The signs of stardom were there: 19 points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes against the Charlotte Hornets, 18 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists against the Golden State Warriors, and most recently, a 20-point, 14-rebound gem against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
He's averaging 16 points and 8.8 rebounds in his last five games since he was given a boost in minutes after Millsap went down with a left knee contusion, now missing seven straight games with the injury.
Millsap is a capable veteran that is getting paid handsomely this season ($30 million), but his contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and the need for a forward to fill in that spot will come very, very soon.
Jerami Grant, who is starting in place of Millsap, has a $9.3 million player option for next season, which he could choose to turn down if there are better market opportunities.
That makes perfect sense for Porter to slide right in at power forward and play next to a capable passing forward like Nikola Jokic, who is already praising his game.
“He’s an amazing talent,” said Jokic after Monday's win over the Timberwolves, according to Mike Singer of The Denver Post. “When you see how his ball is going into the hoop, it’s amazing. Swoosh every time. He’s a big guy, he’s a rebounder. He can do a lot of things out there.”
Teammate Will Barton, who starts at small forward, has also given him his blessing.
“Everyone knows his talent is out of this world,” said Barton. “At 6-11, like I always say, with his ability, it’s hard to guard him. And then he goes in there, he’s relentless on the boards. What can I say?”
Head coach Mike Malone has already made Porter the team's sixth man and effusively noted how he has “the makings of a young star.” So why not put that star to work?
The Nuggets have two dilemmas — there is a certain hierarchy in place and Malone doesn't want to ruffle any feather when the Nuggets look well in position to secure a top-four spot in the West. There's also the aspect of player safety, ensuring Porter is geared into playing time smartly, considering he missed an entire NBA season with his back injury.
Though he seems plenty recovered from it and more than willing to bang with others and jostle for position.
Making Porter Jr. a starter would signify pushing Millsap to be his $30 million backup and consequently Grant to third-string duties, despite trading for him in the summer.
The situation isn't all that simple in the least, but analysts like Charles Barkley already expect Porter Jr. to become the second-best player of that roster after Jokic. That prospect isn't far fetched, the Missouri native has the chops to be a bright star in the league and keeping him from ample playing time would only be stunting his growth at this time.
Realistically speaking, the rookie forward can still develop as a sixth man, but Malone will have to sit down with his team and have some very honest conversations if this Nuggets team is to make a serious run in the playoffs, as it must certainly involve their young star having an imprint as a starter.
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