The Philadelphia 76ers have to get everything right in the 2024 offseason as they seek to upgrade the roster around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. They are armed with cap space and trade assets, so it’s important they push the right buttons.
President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey understands that the Sixers need a wing player who can produce in the playoffs. That has been something of an issue in recent postseason runs so he needs to address that need in the summer.
One option could be Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. He is signed with the Nuggets through the 2026-27 season, but he fits what Philadelphia needs. He can shoot the 3-ball at a high clip and takes a bunch of them. He certainly isn’t shy: He takes 6.8 3s per game and knocks down 39.7% of them.
While Porter has been a terrific fit next to Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in Denver, he has struggled at times. One has to think the Nuggets might shake their roster up a bit. He struggled in the finals against the Miami Heat in 2023 (14.3% from deep) and had a tough series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second-round loss (32.5% from deep).
Considering those moments, it’s fair to question why the Sixers would want Porter. However, his overall 3-point shooting is undeniable. He’s a career 38% shooter from deep in the playoffs and that would be perfect next to Embiid and Maxey just as he was next to Jokic and Murray.
The big issue is Philadelphia likely doesn’t have anything substantial to offer Denver. The Sixers have a number of draft picks and the cap space to absorb Porter’s contract, but not much else. A third team would certainly have to be involved so the Nuggets can get a win-now player for their own title window after winning the Larry O’Brien trophy in 2023.
Either way, the Sixers should at least check in. Morey has to weigh a great many options this offseason, and one has to figure Porter will be one of those options. He can shoot and isn’t bashful about any of his opportunities.
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