Were the Nuggets wise to sign Michael Porter Jr. to a max contract?

The question has been debated now for months. Some say yes. Others say no. Many say let’s wait and see – wait and see if injuries hold him back and wait and see if he develops like the Nuggets think he can.

Well, there is no denying the talent level of Michael Porter Jr. He does things that few players his size can do.

He can shoot and can do so with great range. He can put the ball on the floor and routinely beat defenders to the hoop. And though he doesn’t always do it, he is certainly capable of finishing at the rim as well or better than anyone his size.

I remember reading about Porter when he was still in high school. As a senior, he averaged 36 points and 14 rebounds per game. His high school team, his senior year, went 29-0 and won the 3A division in the state of Washington. Porter had an astounding 52 points and 23 rebounds in the championship game. I remember watching him in the McDonald’s High School All-American Game. It was pretty easy to see his incredible talent.

Anyway, to get back to the question. Were the Nuggets wise to sign Michael Porter, Jr to a max contract?

I think it’s pretty safe to say that someone was going to sign him to a max contract. The talent is too evident for that not to happen with another team. Despite many frustrating moments in his young career, the Nuggets did not want to lose this incredibly talented basketball player. So, if they were going to keep him, a max contract was probably mandatory.

The way the Nuggets did the contract was pretty clever. They tacked on five years to his existing contract, which eventually will ease some of the luxury-tax obligations the Nuggets are surely going to incur in the near future.

With max deals given to Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, plus now Michael Porter Jr., it’s safe to say the Nuggets are quite committed to an NBA championship run.