Following yet another disappointing second-round playoff exit, the Denver Nuggets are rumored to be exploring significant roster changes. With Michael Porter Jr., arguably their top trade chip aside from Nikola Jokic, on the block, Denver may be considering a roster retool aimed at reinforcing their physical presence around Jokic and Jamal Murray.
In this proposed deal, the Nuggets would acquire John Collins and Collin Sexton—two established starters who could immediately improve Denver’s depth and balance. Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz, currently in rebuild mode, seem open to moving experienced veterans in favor of acquiring long-term foundational talent.
This proposed swap would send Porter Jr. to Utah in what could become one of the most impactful trades of the 2025 offseason.
—
Proposed Trade Structure
Denver Nuggets receive: John Collins, Collin Sexton
Utah Jazz receive: Michael Porter Jr., Hunter Tyson
—
Why This Makes Sense for Denver: Depth, Shooting, and Physicality
The Nuggets stand to benefit from this deal by significantly improving their outside shooting and frontcourt presence. Collin Sexton, who posted 18.4 PPG on 48% shooting and an impressive 40.6% from beyond the arc last season, would be a clear upgrade over Denver’s current bench guards, including Peyton Watson (8.1 PPG, 35.3% from three).
John Collins, on the other hand, adds strength in the paint with his 2023-24 averages of 19.0 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, shooting 52.7%. His ability to clean the glass and finish in traffic takes pressure off Jokic and helps Denver better contend with physical playoff opponents.
Both players are capable of logging starter-level minutes (30+), which is crucial considering Denver’s bench inconsistencies and their early postseason exit. This trade would allow Coach Michael Malone to manage player workloads more efficiently and keep the team competitive throughout the season.
—
Why This Benefits Utah: Youth, Talent, and Rebuild Potential
For the Jazz, landing Michael Porter Jr. and Hunter Tyson fits perfectly into their rebuild timeline. Porter, still just 26, averaged 18.2 PPG and 7.0 RPG while shooting 50.4% from the field and 39.5% from three—elite numbers for a swingman. He offers positional versatility and fits nicely alongside core players like Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler.
Tyson may have had limited minutes in Denver (2.6 PPG in 7.8 MPG), but his Summer League stats—15.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG—suggest untapped potential. In Utah’s development-focused system, he could thrive with increased playing time and coaching investment.
With the No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 Draft also in their possession, the Jazz could be forming a promising trio of young stars. This trade accelerates their rebuild while maintaining future flexibility and cap space.
—
Win-Win Deal for Both Teams
This trade would allow the Nuggets to maximize their title window with Jokic by surrounding him with high-level contributors who bring shooting, toughness, and experience. It’s a calculated move to get over the playoff hump.
For the Jazz, flipping established veterans for a young, high-upside scorer like Porter Jr., plus a developmental piece in Tyson, strengthens their future foundation. It’s a classic rebuild strategy—convert now-value into long-term promise.
In short: Denver fills immediate gaps to contend deeper in the playoffs, while Utah secures a young cornerstone and valuable depth for its next chapter.
