Never shy about voicing his thoughts, Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. spoke with reporters Saturday afternoon about the competition between himself and Will Barton for the opportunity to earn a spot in Denver's starting rotation.

Per Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports, the sophomore forward was surprisingly restrained:

“Everybody knows Will is a starter,” said Porter Jr. “He views himself as a starter. I view myself as a starter. But we both know if we want to be a part of something special we’ve got to stick together, me and him individually, and then as a team we've just got to be willing to accept our roles.”

Though he possesses undeniable talent, Porter Jr. has gotten himself into hot water for ill-conceived comments in the past. Most notably, speaking with fans on an Instagram Live session during the NBA's bubble in Orlando, the forward speculated that the COVID-19 pandemic was being used as a form of population control. While the incident was largely shaken off as a mistake for a still growing young man, it did raise concerns among some over his ability to mature and help lead the Nuggets.

Porter's willingness to defer to the coaching staff Saturday, over his placement in the rotation, will likely soothe some of those concerns.

Regardless of whether he or Barton begins the season in the starting five, it is probable that Porter Jr. will see his share of action alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. One of the few promising young talents Denver holds, the development of the forward is seen as key to the success of the franchise. Whether he blossoms into a third star along the aforementioned cornerstones of Murray and Jokic, or is used as the centerpiece of a trade to acquire one, the Nuggets will in all likelihood prioritize minutes for Porter Jr.

If his conciliatory remarks Saturday are any indication, Porter appears to be trending in the right direction.