Denver, CO

Nuggets Mailbag: Denver’s GM search, Michael Porter Jr.’s trade value and Carmelo Anthony’s number

Published

10 months ago

June 6, 2025

Nuggets Mailbag: Denver’s GM search, Michael Porter Jr.’s trade value and Carmelo Anthony’s number

Denver Post beat writer Bennett Durando opens up the Nuggets Mailbag periodically during the season and offseason. You can submit a Nuggets- or NBA-related question here.

What’s the latest on the GM search? Are they just waiting to announce Ben Tenzer?

— Dave, Aurora

Tenzer and Matt Lloyd are the two names I’ve heard most when asking people around the league about the Nuggets general manager job. Neither has experience as a director of basketball operations, but both are regarded as personable, smart and strong at building relationships. Those are going to be important characteristics in Denver. The Nuggets need someone who can help establish a better culture inside the organization and communicate well with agents.

“You could do a lot worse than Matt Lloyd,” one agent told me recently, speaking fondly of the current Timberwolves GM under Tim Connelly. (For the record: Connelly indicated this week to reporters that he’s not leaving Minnesota any time soon.)

The Tenzer smoke makes sense. He has been effusively praised by Nuggets President and Governor Josh Kroenke for his input since taking over as interim GM in April, and the Kroenkes have a history of hiring internally. I see Tenzer as a leading candidate right now. I also wouldn’t be surprised if he got promoted to GM with an outside hire made at president of basketball operations.

There could be other names waiting to emerge still. The Nuggets should want to have someone in place by the end of next week, with the draft and free agency nearing.

Saw some reports from earlier in the season that the Nuggets were really considering trading Michael Porter Jr. Do you see Denver actually doing it in the offseason and who are some players you’d throw in return packages?

— Jed Katz, Upper Saddle River, N.J.

Does the new GM (Ben Tenzer or whomever) finally cut bait with Porter? Michael Malone had a point that the bench was weak and inexperienced, but the true weakness of the Nuggets is MPJ and his albatross of a contract. Your thoughts?

— Joe, Denver

You guys are giving me déjà vu all over again. This was the most popular question leading up to the trade deadline last season, and it’ll probably be the most popular question before the next one, too.

I don’t think the Nuggets will trade Porter this summer.

I’m never going to say it’s impossible. The Timberwolves wouldn’t have thought last August that Karl-Anthony Towns would be traded by training camp.

But Josh Kroenke’s public comments since the season ended have been illuminating. It’s clear that ownership is leaning toward giving the “core four” another year together, while hoping to patch together a better depth chart via some combination of player development and free agency discount shopping. “I think a lot of our answers are internal right now,” Kroenke said.

Read those tea leaves and consider that Porter’s importance to Denver’s current roster — Positional size! Volume 3-point shooting! — exceeds what his value would be on the trade market. To 29 other teams, he’s still a questionable contract with a dubious medical record. What you have is a likely outcome where, even if the Nuggets entertain MPJ trades, they don’t find one that satisfies them.

Teams have to plan out their salary cap sheets for multiple years. The Nuggets are positioned to narrowly avoid the second apron next season, even with Jamal Murray’s extension taking effect. But the following year, they’ll be accounting for Aaron Gordon’s $9 million raise and Christian Braun’s new contract, assuming he and Denver agree to an extension this fall. (I expect that to happen.)

The team might have to do some serious salary-shaving in the 2026 offseason if it wants to stay out of the second apron. Porter will have one year left on his deal at that point, making the dollar amount more palatable to other teams. Common sense says next summer is the appropriate time to pounce on a trade after one more swing with the current starting lineup. Go ahead and mark your calendars to ask me about this topic yet again.

After the second Game 7 loss in two years to teams that were much more physical than the Nuggets, a couple of questions. Not that the outcome would have been different, but would the whistle have been different if David Adelman did not have “interim” in his title while coaching against a former Coach of the Year? Having seen Doug Moe get after the refs and change the way a game was officiated, I was disappointed that Adelman didn’t get a T or at least a fine for postgame comments during the OKC series. Do the players believe a coach has their back when he doesn’t make known his displeasure with the officiating?

— Shawn Thompson, Denver

Well, your second question is easily answered by the players themselves. Even immediately after losing Game 7, they responded with resounding positivity to the idea of Adelman being their full-time head coach. So I don’t think his willingness to be performative was top of mind.

I’ll also remind you that Adelman did call out the refs after Game 6 of Denver’s first-round series when he spoke to reporters that night. Every coach has to choose how to navigate this stuff as a public-facing figure, and I suspect he’ll be one who uses sly sarcasm when he wants to sharpen the knives.

During games, I noticed Adelman giving the crew an earful more often than I think you’re giving him credit for. He might not ever compile as many technical fouls or ejections as Michael Malone, but I wouldn’t underestimate his ability to turn up the intensity.

If you thought the Nuggets generally got an unfair whistle against the Thunder, I get it. But the reason would have nothing to do with Adelman. Oklahoma City sets the terms every game by defending so fiercely that it forces referees to reckon with the fact that they can’t call everything. There also remains the cheat code of putting a small guard on the unguardable Nikola Jokic. For years, he has been flustered by the contact an Alex Caruso or OG Anunoby can get away with in the post, relative to someone like Karl-Anthony Towns. Mark Daigneault rather brilliantly waited to play that card until it was absolutely necessary.

For what it’s worth, whatever you think about the OKC whistle, it’s not even close to the top reason Denver lost that series.

Bennett, were you as surprised as I was to see Pascal Siakam win Eastern Conference Finals MVP over Tyrese Haliburton? It reminded me of the Lakers series (in 2023) when Jamal was our leading scorer, but Jokic was still our most valuable player. In that case, Jokic got the award. Siakam had great shooting percentages, but the Pacers don’t win that series without Haliburton, in my opinion.

— Andrew, Denver

It can be true that Indiana probably doesn’t win the series without either star playing at an extremely high level. But yes, Haliburton would’ve been my series MVP without much handwringing. His play style is the basis of the Pacers’ unorthodox blueprint for an NBA Finals run. Even when his step-back 3s aren’t falling, he’s creating basketball advantage and cultivating healthy offense like few players can. He still averaged 21 points (well over his regular-season total), six rebounds, 10.5 assists, 1.7 turnovers and 2.5 steals per game. He achieved point guard nirvana with his Game 4 performance, which cemented Indiana’s control of the series.

And most notably — I would’ve used this as a tiebreaker if I had a vote and was torn — who is responsible for the most important moment of the series? Haliburton made one of the most instantly memorable shots in the history of the sport, without which who knows what might’ve happened in Game 7?

Who are we targeting in free agency this offseason? Bruce Brown seems like an obvious choice to shore up the bench. But will we finally get a good backup for Nikola Jokic, like bringing in Mason Plumlee, Larry Nance Jr. or Precious Achiuwa?

— Mike, Denver

Hard to say while the general manager position remains vacant. But I recently assembled an exhaustive list of possibilities just for you, Mike. Check it out.

Will we ever see Carmelo Anthony’s number climb to the rafters? Obviously, Nikola Jokic is the greatest No. 15 in Denver history, but could they do something similar to what the Mariners are doing with Randy Johnson and Ichiro Suzuki?

— Shawn, Westminster

I had a feeling I would get this question from someone after seeing the arrangement in Seattle. My hunch: Anthony and the Nuggets have a lot of relationship-mending to do before they can ever reach that point. Time might be the only medicine. Will it someday be normalized for Anthony to visit Denver for games, like the other franchise greats do? Will fans’ nostalgia morph into forgiveness as the years go on? Maybe by the time Jokic’s number is retired, perspectives will have changed. I think it’s only right that they both end up in the rafters, even if one clearly belongs to a loftier tier of basketball players historically.

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Denver, CO

Every Opening and Closing This Week: Six Spots Debuted

Published

10 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Every Opening and Closing This Week: Six Spots Debuted

Paperboy has opened its first location outside of Texas.

Paperboy

Denver is a city that loves to brunch and now, one of Austin’s top daytime spots has opened a location in the West Highland neighborhood. Paperboy’s third outpost is its first outside of its home state of Texas. The concept, which founder Rynan Harms started in a food trailer, has taken over the former home of Rooted Craft American Kitchen (and FNG before that).

“We love this neighborhood because it’s still close to downtown but has its own unique and relaxed vibe,” says Robert Brown, Harms’ longtime business partner, who has lived in Denver for nearly a decade. “People know their neighbors, they show up to community events, they’re invested in this place in a way that feels increasingly rare. That sense of connection is something Paperboy has always tried to foster, and we’re honored to be a part of it here in Denver.”

The menu includes staples such as the chicken and biscuit drizzled with spicy honey; Texas Hash with roasted pork, sweet potato, onion, kale, poached egg and pecan mole; and the Paperboy Pancake, described as “a cake-forward cornmeal pancake that still manages to be impossibly fluffy.”

martini on a table in front of a bar — FiNO’s martini is made with pickled tomato water.

Also now open is FiNO, the restaurant inside the revamped All Inn Hotel on East Colfax. We enjoyed our first meal there; if you’re planning to visit, don’t miss the signature martini, the Medi Nachos and the caper-studded charred cabbage.

On East Sixth Avenue, the powerhouse duo behind the city’s best new barbecue restaurant, Riot BBQ, has debuted Chicken Riot in the former Truffle Cheese Shop space. Meanwhile, the former Whiskey Biscuit in Englewood is now the Barn, a neighborhood eatery from a pair of longtime hospitality pros, including former Brider chef Chase Devitt.

Taqueria Los Gallitos has expanded once again, adding an eighth location in the former Taco John’s near the shuttered Denver Merchandise Mart.

And just in time for the Rockies home opener on Friday, April 3, McGregor Square has opened its revamped food hall. The former Milepost Zero moniker is out. Now, the space is dubbed McGregor Square Food & Drink and includes six food stalls from local eateries: Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta, C Burger, G-Que BBQ, High Point Creamery, TaCo! and Tora Ramen.

There’s just one closure to report this week: Ballyhoo Table & Stage, which actually shuttered last month after an eviction notice was posted.

In other openings and closings news:

chicken club sandwich — A chicken club is one of the sandwiches on off at the Barn.

Here’s the complete list of restaurants and bars that opened and closed this week*:

Openings

The Barn South Broadway, 3299 South Broadway, Englewood
Chicken Riot, 2906 East Sixth Avenue
FiNO, 3015 East Colfax Avenue
McGregor Square Food & Drink, 1601 19th Street
Paperboy, 3940 West 32nd Avenue
Taqueria Los Gallitos, 5810 Logan Street

Closures

Ballyhoo Table & Stage, 3300 Tejon Street

*Or earlier and not previously reported.

Know of something we missed? Email cafe@westword.com.

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Denver, CO

Preview: Spirit Prepares for First Match Against Denver Summit FC, Another Record Crowd

Published

22 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Preview: Spirit Prepares for First Match Against Denver Summit FC, Another Record Crowd

Denver, Colo. (03/27/2026) – In front of another expected record-breaking crowd, the Washington Spirit is set to take on Denver Summit FC in the side’s inaugural home match at Empower Field at Mile High. With over 60,000 tickets already distributed, the match is poised to break the NWSL attendance record of 40,091 set last summer when the Spirit visited Bay FC at San Francisco’s Oracle Park. Kicking off at 2 p.m. EDT, the match will broadcast nationally on CBS.

The Spirit

Washington comes into this weekend’s fixture off a difficult 1-1 home draw with Utah Royals FC earlier this week. After scoring in the 18th minute, the Spirit nearly earned its first victory of 2026 but conceded an equalizer late and had to settle for a single point on the table. Washington’s goal was scored by midfielder Rebeca Bernal, the Mexican star’s first since transferring to the NWSL last year.

Saturday afternoon’s match will mark the first-ever meeting between the Spirit, one of the NWSL’s original clubs, and 2026 expansion side Denver Summit FC. Denver will be the 17th different opponent for Washington across its regular season history: the Spirit has played against 13 active clubs (all except expansion sides Denver and Boston) as well as defunct clubs the Boston Breakers, FC Kansas City and the Western New York Flash.

The Spirit has had success against expansion sides as of late, tallying 11 wins in 15 matches against NWSL clubs in their first season of competition since the start of the 2021 campaign. In 2024, the Spirit went a perfect 5-0-0 against Bay FC and Utah Royals FC, outscoring the teams 10-3 with a playoff win to boot. In 2022, Washington earned a 1-3-0 record against Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC and, in 2021, the eventual NWSL champions went an impressive 5-1-0 against Kansas City and Racing Louisville FC.

This weekend’s matchup at Empower Field at Mile High, home of the NFL’s Denver Broncos, is set to shatter the NWSL’s single match attendance record with over 60,000 tickets already distributed. The Spirit has also been the visiting team for two of the league’s previous three record-setting attendances: 34,130 fans at Seattle’s Lumen Field when the Spirit took on the Reign and 40,091 in the stands at San Francisco’s historic Oracle Park to watch Washington play Bay FC.

Washington is in good standing in several attacking categories through three matches despite two draws and a loss. The Spirit remains first in the league in rate of possession at nearly 62% and top three in both shots and shots on target with 49 and 17, respectively. With just three goals through three matches, look for the Spirit attack to continue getting attempts on frame this weekend.

Following Saturday’s match, the Spirit will hit the road again next weekend for an away match against Bay FC in San Jose on Sunday, April 5. Washington’s next home match will be on Friday, April 24 at 8 p.m. EDT when the side hosts the defending Shield winner Kansas City Current at Audi Field. Information on tickets can be found HERE.

The Opponent

Denver Summit FC opened its inaugural season with three straight away matches, collecting a win, a loss and a draw to carry four points into its home opener this weekend. Summit FC dropped its first match to Bay FC 1-2 before drawing Orlando 1-1 and beating Gotham 2-0.

Summit FC is led in scoring by star German forward Melissa Kössler who has three goals in three matches, scoring once in each contest. With a goal tomorrow, the forward would join Alex Morgan as just the second player in league history to score in each of her first four matches with a club. Look for the Spirit defending third to place an emphasis on limiting chances to Kössler on Saturday afternoon.

Denver has only allowed one goal across its last 240 minutes of action after giving up two in the first 30 minutes of the side’s opener. The strong recent form of Summit FC’s defending third against the Spirit attacking third’s ability to generate chance after chance will be a point to watch this weekend.

Three former Spirit players are currently on the Summit FC roster as midfielders Meg Boade and Jordan Baggett and defender Camryn Biegalski signed with the side ahead of this season. Baggett spent four years with the Spirit after being drafted by the side in 2019 while Biegalski signed with Washington in 2021 and played three seasons, both winning the 2021 NWSL Championship with the team. Boade spent the first half of the 2025 season in DC as a short-term injury replacement, even scoring a goal for the Spirit.

Following tomorrow’s match, Denver will travel to Seattle to face Reign FC on Saturday, April 4.

All-Time Series History

This weekend’s match will be the first-ever meeting between the Spirit and Denver Summit FC.

About The Washington Spirit

The Washington Spirit is the premier professional women’s soccer team based in Washington, D.C. and plays at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. The Spirit was founded on November 21, 2012 and is an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) the fastest growing sports league in the US. The club is home to some of the best players in the world who have won championships for both club and country. For more information about the Spirit, visit WashingtonSpirit.com and follow the club on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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Denver, CO

Jazz List 8 Players on Injury Report vs. Nuggets

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Jazz List 8 Players on Injury Report vs. Nuggets

The Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets are tipping off their second-to-last meeting of the 2025-26 season on Friday in the Mile High, where for the Jazz in particular, they’ll be dealing with several injuries headed into the matchup that’ll make them shorthanded once again.

Here’s what to expect on the injury front for both the Jazz and Nuggets on Friday night:

Utah Jazz Injury Report

OUT – Isaiah Collier (hamstring)

OUT – Keyonte George (hamstring)

OUT – Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee)

OUT – Walker Kessler (shoulder)

OUT – Lauri Markkanen (hip)

OUT – Jusuf Nurkic (nose)

PROBABLE – Kyle Filipowski (illness)

OUT – Blake Hinson (two-way)

It’s a lot of the same for the Jazz when looking back at some of their recent injury reports, but there’s also some good news to note as well.

Second-year big man Kyle Filipowski, specifically, is trending up to play in Denver after dealing with an illness against the Washington Wizards; an issue that kept him sidelined for one game and left the Jazz’s frontcourt notably shorthanded for what would be a double-digit loss.

During his post-All-Star stretch, Filipowski has been averaging 13.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, along with 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks through 11 games.

He’s slotted in primarily as the Jazz’s starting center since both Walker Kessler and Jusuf Nurkic have been out with season-ending injuries, and has shown some nice flashes throughout.

Mar 23, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz center Kyle Filipowski (22) controls the ball during the first quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images | Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

However, outside of getting Filipowski back in the mix, the Jazz will still be without second-year guard Isaiah Collier, who continues to deal with hamstring soreness, and will also continue to be down Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen with their extended absences.

It remains to be seen if any of the latter two will be able to return at some point this season, but now with less than 10 games to go on the calendar before the offseason officially hits, the chances of either Markkanen or George coming back keep getting slimmer and slimmer.

For the extent either remains out, expect to see a good chunk of Ace Bailey being the primary scoring option as he has through his recent slate of games, along with an expanded role for their two-way and 10-day players down the bench who have gotten more minutes in recent weeks.

Denver Nuggets Injury Report

OUT – David Roddy (two-way)

OUT – KJ Simpson (two-way)

As for the Nuggets, their injury slate remains clean. The only names out will be a pair of their two way signings in David Roddy and KJ Simpsons, while the rest of their roster is slated to be active.

It’s a major change from what the Nuggets have been used to all season when factoring in their several injuries to key players lasting multiple weeks.

Nikola Jokic, Cameron Johnson, Christian Braun, Aaron Gordon, and Peyton Watson have all missed significant time at one point or another this season, but against Utah, they’ll have all systems go as they roll into the game on a three-game win streak.

Tip-off between the Jazz and Nuggets lands at 7 p.m. MT in Ball Arena.

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