Denver, CO
Michael Malone on trade rumors involving Nuggets: “There’s nothing to that”
![Michael Malone on trade rumors involving Nuggets: “There’s nothing to that” Michael Malone on trade rumors involving Nuggets: “There’s nothing to that”](https://www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TDP-L-NUGGETS-KNICKSAO2_2407xx.jpg?w=1024&h=718)
The Nuggets are at the center of trade rumor season in the NBA, but coach Michael Malone says there’s no fire accompanying the smoke for now.
Asked on Monday how he manages the locker room when trade talks involving specific players become public, Malone highlighted how early in the season it is and referred to his conversations with general manager Calvin Booth.
“A lot of it is noise. I mean, I don’t know where it comes from,” Malone said. “You see different things that are out there, and you never want that stuff getting out there. But I’ve talked to Calvin, and Calvin’s had a good pulse on that stuff. And whenever that stuff is happening, he’s in touch with the guys and their agents to let them know what is real and what is not real. And as of right now as we are 25 games into the season, there’s nothing to that.”
The Athletic was first to report last week that Denver is interested in Zach LaVine, whose contract would require the Nuggets to include Michael Porter Jr. in a hypothetical trade for salary-matching purposes. The Nuggets have discussed the possibility of acquiring the two-time All-Star from Chicago this season, sources confirmed to The Denver Post, but they won’t be in any rush to move the 26-year-old Porter if the team is firmly in contention closer to the Feb. 6, 2025, trade deadline.
Entering a two-game Christmas week series with the Suns, the Nuggets (15-11) had won four of their last five, good for fifth place in the competitive Western Conference.
Porter had a quiet three-game road trip, averaging 11.7 points and not appearing in Malone’s closing lineup Sunday against the Pelicans. But he’s still averaging 18 points and seven rebounds this season, and shooting 38.5% from the 3-point line.
Nuggets backup big man Zeke Nnaji has been the other player most commonly associated with potential trades. His $8.9 million salary could also be an essential part of a potential trade for LaVine, who’s making $43 million this season. Under current collective bargaining agreement restrictions, Denver cannot take back more salary than it sends out in a trade. Porter’s current cap figure is $35.9 million.
“That’s where you worry about guys worrying about the wrong thing,” Malone said. “Just focus on what you can control, go out there and play your game, and help this team to the best of your ability. All of the other stuff takes care of itself. I think for years, our front office has done a great job of communicating with players if there is something so (that) there’s never a surprise. There’s never our guys being caught off guard. But that’s something that I think our front office has done an outstanding job of.”
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Denver, CO
Denver visits Eaglestaff and North Dakota
![Denver visits Eaglestaff and North Dakota Denver visits Eaglestaff and North Dakota](https://s.yimg.com/cv/apiv2/social/images/yahoo_default_logo-1200x1200.png)
Denver Pioneers (8-18, 2-9 Summit League) at North Dakota Fightin’ Hawks (9-17, 3-8 Summit League)
Grand Forks, North Dakota; Thursday, 8 p.m. EST
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Fightin’ Hawks -8.5; over/under is 152.5
BOTTOM LINE: North Dakota takes on Denver after Treysen Eaglestaff scored 24 points in North Dakota’s 80-69 loss to the UMKC Kangaroos.
The Fightin’ Hawks are 6-5 on their home court. North Dakota ranks second in the Summit League in rebounding with 34.7 rebounds. Amar Kuljuhovic paces the Fightin’ Hawks with 6.8 boards.
The Pioneers are 2-9 in conference games. Denver is 2-12 against opponents with a winning record.
North Dakota averages 77.5 points per game, 1.9 fewer points than the 79.4 Denver gives up. Denver averages 7.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.4 fewer made shots on average than the 8.9 per game North Dakota gives up.
TOP PERFORMERS: Eaglestaff averages 2.4 made 3-pointers per game for the Fightin’ Hawks, scoring 18.3 points while shooting 34.1% from beyond the arc. Mier Panoam is shooting 52.0% and averaging 16.7 points over the past 10 games.
DeAndre Craig is scoring 13.5 points per game and averaging 3.7 rebounds for the Pioneers. Sebastian Akins is averaging 11.2 points and 1.7 rebounds over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Fightin’ Hawks: 3-7, averaging 80.4 points, 31.1 rebounds, 12.6 assists, 5.7 steals and 2.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 84.6 points per game.
Pioneers: 2-8, averaging 69.1 points, 26.7 rebounds, 11.0 assists, 5.5 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 78.8 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Denver, CO
Portland Trail Blazers at Denver Nuggets: Game preview, prediction, time, TV channel
The Portland Trail Blazers, when healthy, don’t match up well with the Denver Nuggets.
On Monday, the Blazers lost 146-117 at Denver while playing without Robert Williams III and Jerami Grant. Both are questionable for Wednesday night’s rematch.
Scoot Henderson (ankle) and Deandre Ayton (calf) are out.
Should all four miss the game, the Blazers would have virtually zero chance to win.
Denver destroyed the Blazers in virtually every statistical category on Monday. Losing Ayton and Henderson dramatically impacts the team’s ability to score in the paint, where the Nuggets held an 88-46 advantage in the first game.
The Blazers’ best shot to win would be to get hot from three-point range. Anfernee Simons, Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe have the ability to do so, but it’s unlikely all three will get going enough on the same night to give Denver much trouble.
Prediction: The Nuggets could take the Blazers lightly, resulting in a relatively close game, if they put forth a better overall effort than they did on Monday.
But it would be reasonable for the Blazers to be cautious and not play Grant or Williams, with this being the final game before the All-Star break.
If just one sits out, along with Henderson and Ayton, the Blazers will absolutely leave Denver with another loss.
• • •
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS AT DENVER NUGGETS
What: Trail Blazers (23-31) at Nuggets (35-19), 6 p.m., Wednesday.
Where: Ball Arena, Denver.
Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM).
TV channel: KATU (Antenna: 2.2 in Portland. Xfinity: 302 and 1170. DirecTV: 688-1. KUNP (Antenna: 47.1. Xfinity: 16, 302, 1170. DirecTV: 47. Spectrum: 184).
How to Watch: Rip City TV Network. If you don’t have cable, you can still watch this game live for FREE with the help of an HDTV antenna on your local ABC affiliate (Charge 2.2 in Portland). These antennas are very easy to install and cost around $20. You can purchase one at your local Bi-Mart or Fred Meyer, or buy one online at Walmart or from Amazon and have it shipped quickly to your home. Here are some instructions on how to set up an HDTV antenna on your television or other display. You can find out more about which channel Rip City TV Network is on in your area by using the channel finder here.
• • •
ODDS (Oregon Lottery/DraftKings)
Moneyline: POR +295 | DEN -375
Spread: POR +8.5 | Over/Under: 233
INJURIES
Blazers: Robert Williams III (right knee soreness), Jerami Grant (right knee soreness) and Kris Murray (left quad contusion) are questionable. Deandre Ayton (left calf strain), Scoot Henderson (right ankle sprain) and Matisse Thybulle (right ankle sprain) are out.
Nuggets: Jamal Murray (left knee inflammation) and Aaron Gordon (right calf injury management) are probable. Michael Porter Jr. (left hamstring tightness) is questionable. Russell Westbrook (left hamstring strain), Peyton Watson (right knee sprain). Vlatko Cancar and (left knee surgery), DaRon Holmes (right Achilles tendon repair) are out.
NEXT UP
All-Star break. The Blazers host the Los Angeles Lakers at 7 p.m. Feb. 20.
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)
Denver, CO
Broncos Reacts Survey: Should Denver try to trade for Deebo Samuel?
![Broncos Reacts Survey: Should Denver try to trade for Deebo Samuel? Broncos Reacts Survey: Should Denver try to trade for Deebo Samuel?](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-wy-LZ0YW6gGUKlksvUapHukqe4=/871x322:3713x1810/fit-in/1200x630/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25869675/usa_today_25088219.jpg)
The San Francisco 49ers have decided to put wide receiver Deebo Samuel on the trade block. He joined Los Angeles Rams standout Cooper Kupp as two veteran wide receivers now on the market. For the Denver Broncos, I think of the two only Samuel could make sense and that’s where our SB Nation Reacts survey is going this week.
Denver is among teams listed as best destinations for Deebo. With Courtland Sutton turning 30 this year, Deebo Samuel isn’t that far behind having just turned 29. Sutton is also entering the final year of his contract. Deebo could be a short-term rental that could enhance the weapons available to Bo Nix next season.
The only question is compensation. Here’s the hypothetical: if the compensation lands in a range that you think is in the value range, should the Broncos pull the trigger on a trade? Vote below and I’ll share the results later this week!
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Denver Broncos fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
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