The Denver Nuggets took the NBA Champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, to seven games, and arguably gave them their toughest challenge next to the Indiana Pacers

By clearing $17-plus million from their books, the Nuggets now find themselves with flexibility the next two years because they won't be flirting with the second apron. They also accounted for Aaron Gordon's raise from $22.8 million this season to $31.9 million in 2026-27 and prepared for the extra cap hit.

Michael Porter Jr., a Columbia native and former Mizzou basketball player, spent six years with the Denver Nuggets before the trade deal.