Zach Lowe recently stirred up quite the discussion about the media's reaction to the Michael Porter Jr. trade. On his latest episode of The Zach Lowe Show, he dissected the deal that sent Porter Jr. to Brooklyn and brought Cam Johnson to the Nuggets.
Lowe was quick to defend Porter Jr., highlighting the media's harsh portrayal of him as merely a tag-along in Denver's championship run. He felt the narrative around MPJ was unfairly negative and criticized the overwhelming praise for the trade.
Initially, Lowe called the trade a "net loss" for Denver, but he reconsidered, acknowledging the financial flexibility it provided. The move cleared cap space, allowing the Nuggets to bring in Jonas Valanciunas, a crucial addition according to Lowe.
He emphasized what Denver gave up in Porter Jr., noting, "This dude is six ten, and he’s an A-plus plus three-point shooter," a valuable asset alongside Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets lead the league in three-point shooting, yet Johnson is outperforming Porter Jr. this season, shooting 42% compared to Porter's 37%.
Lowe also touched on the defensive dynamics of the trade, pointing out that while Porter Jr. struggled defensively, Johnson wasn't exactly a defensive powerhouse either. His sarcastic comment, "What did he become, Scottie Pippen or something?" highlighted his skepticism.
However, the primary reason for the trade was financial. The Nuggets avoided the luxury tax this season, saving about $17 million, thanks to Johnson's contract.
This financial maneuvering is critical as Denver prepares to navigate Peyton Watson's restricted free agency amidst persistent Lakers rumors. With a new, deep-pocketed owner in Los Angeles, the Nuggets will need every financial advantage they can muster.