Grade the Trade: The Nuggets get creative in bold proposed deal with Hawks

Grade the Trade: The Nuggets get creative in bold proposed deal with Hawks

The mock trade would see the Nuggets ship out the 28th pick in this year's draft and Michael Porter Jr., who is arguably their third-best player, to the Hawks in exchange for Bojan Bogdanovic and DeAndre Hunter. Given that the Nuggets are flirting with the punitive second apron, which handcuffs big-spending teams, it was ironically designed to force big-market teams like the Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, and Golden State Warriors from going far into the luxury tax. 

However, it may also force the Nuggets to break up a part of their title team. This deal would see them swap out Porter Jr.'s $36 million salary and replace it with two rotation players, with Hunter being a three-and-d starting wing and Bogdanović being a sixth-man of the year candidate.

On the other hand, the Hawks would add the best player in the deal in Porter Jr. While he is coming off a disappointing semi-final series against the Wolves, at 25, he is close in age to Trae Young—should they decide to keep him—and is under contract for the next three seasons. 

Additionally, they'd add the 28th pick in this year's draft, giving them their second first-rounder in addition to the first overall pick. On paper, the deal makes some sense for the Nuggets and Hawks but there may be issues for both teams. Next, we'll see if the Hawks will agree to the deal.