The NBA is full of trades that are debated, criticized, then reassessed over time. The one that sent Michael Porter Jr. from Denver to Brooklyn last summer, however, is now telling a different kind of story – one where everyone wins. And that doesn’t happen often in the NBA.

Saying it wasn’t just any executive, but David Adelman, who after the Nets’ 127-115 win over the Nuggets – fueled by 27 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists from former Nugget Michael Porter Jr. – perfectly captured the meaning of the move. In Brooklyn, MPJ found what he couldn’t have in Denver: total freedom. More touches, more responsibility, more room to make mistakes and grow.

I think we used him the right way. I’m sure he would completely disagree, and that’s fair. But we won a lot of games doing things that way. It’s nice to see him have more freedom under Jordi (Fernández, ed.).

David Adelman

The numbers are All-Star caliber: nearly 26 points per game (49.6% from the field, 42% from three), along with technical leadership and charisma on a young team that now finally has a clear identity.

A Story of Expectations Never Fully Met

And to think that, when he was drafted, Porter Jr. expected all of this much sooner. In 2018, he entered the NBA convinced – rightly so – that he was one of the best prospects in his Draft class (selected 14th overall), if not the very best. The talent was obvious, but his body didn’t always cooperate. Back injuries, dating back to his college days, slowed his development and complicated his integration into a Denver environment that was already built to win immediately.

My expectation was to become the best player in the NBA. Injuries had a big impact on my path, but I believe determination and resilience allowed me to carve out a really important role in the league. What I’m doing now doesn’t surprise me – what I’m proud of is doing it after the injuries.

Michael Porter Jr.

In Denver, there was never really time to wait. MPJ was instrumental in the 2023 title, but always within a clearly defined role, tailored to the system. His departure opened another path: salary flexibility. That led to major additions such as Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jonas Valančiūnas, along with the massive extension for Christian Braun. Different pieces, but perfectly suited to complement a roster already led by Nikola Jokić.

The court tells the truth. The Nuggets – without Jokić due to injury, and it shows – are once again among the top three in the West, solid and deep. The Nets, meanwhile, finally have a player to build their future around. And Porter Jr., perhaps for the first time, is living up to the expectations he always had for himself. In the NBA, when timing and context finally align, that’s when stories find their meaning.