Pelica Debrief
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Ranking the top 5 Denver Nuggets assets in an Anthony Davis trade

By Nolan Jensen

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 17: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans dunks against the Denver Nuggets on November 17, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 17: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans dunks against the Denver Nuggets on November 17, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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New Orleans Pelicans
Michael Porter Jr Denver Nuggets(Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

#3) Michael Porter Jr.

I have this particular asset ranked higher than the likes of Beasley and Morris simply based off of his immense potential. He’s yet to play in an NBA game, sitting out his entire rookie campaign due to injury. Though that might warrant some red flags, we’ve seen recently how a player can overcome missing his rookie season and still succeed (here’s looking at you, Ben Simmons, there’s a rookie of the year joke here somewhere).

Michael Porter Jr. fell outside the top 10 in the draft due to injury in his lone college season, eventually landing 14th to the Denver Nuggets. Again, the whole injury scare thing. However, the Nuggets were in no rush to get him back on the court this season and the prolonged recovery time could prove beneficial.

He’s sure to have rust when he finally does step foot onto the hardwood (he’s rumored to be playing in the Summer League via nbcsports.com), but with time and repetition, it’s likely to wear off. Porter Jr. is a 6’10, 210-pound power forward that can shoot from distance and put the ball on the floor. He’s the prototypical forward for today’s NBA and has a real opportunity to shine.

He’s rather athletic, just has not got the chance to showcase his physical attributes due to marring back injuries. On the defensive end—with his physical prowess—he could become a great defender and disrupt the flow of the opposition. Turning defense into offense, he can get out in transition and run the break as a big man as well.

If he gets to where his potential lies, this asset alone could be worth the trade. His game perfectly complements the likes of Zion Williamson’s. Williamson is a great playmaker and can cause defenses to collapse on him, and with Porter Jr’s aforementioned abilities, the two could wreak havoc.

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