Every NBA team’s biggest question mark for the 2021-22 season

Denver Nuggets: Can Michael Porter, Jr. become a No. 1 option?

Losing Jamal Murray is a big blow for Denver’s hopes of becoming a Western Conference title contender. Serious pressure falls on Michael Porter Jr. to keep the Nuggets’ offensive operating at a high level in Murray’s absence.

The half-court offense is still going to flow through Nikola Jokic at center, but that won’t lessen the need for creation on the perimeter compared to previous seasons. Porter Jr. is the guy who’s going to inherit a lot of possessions that Murray used to soak up.

Of course, the young wing will soak those possessions up in a very different manner than Murray. He’s not a great pick-and-roll operator who’s going to stress the opposing defense off the dribble. Instead, Porter will look to torment opposing defenses by reigning in jumpers from behind the three-point line.

Porter Jr obviously has explosive single-game scoring ability, but he needs to bring strong production every night this year if he wants to really become a superstar. Denver is paying him like a guy who can be a perennial All-Star, it’s time for him to play like one.