The Nuggets have changed a lot! Porter replaces Huang Zhong, Le Brown returns to the team, and future wealth is in full swing in the first round of the 32-year signing

During the open day of the free market, the Rockets and Hawks each made impressive operations, and the Rockets' performance was particularly eye-catching. However, we need to pay attention to another team - the Nuggets, who are expected to become dark horses on the Rockets' road to championship next season. Today, the Nuggets traded Porter Jr.'s unprotected first-round pick in 2032 to the Nets in exchange for Huang Zhong and Cameron Johnson. This move can be said to be the Nuggets betting on future wealth, because the first round of picks in 2032 is their only remaining available assets.

Nuggets are obviously pursuing their immediate achievements, rather than thinking too much about the future situation. Just imagine, seven years later, this first-round pick is likely to bring a very valuable No. 1 pick to the Nets. Therefore, the Nuggets appear to be in a rapid momentum in the next two to four years, especially the recent trading rumors surrounding Jokic have urged the team to actively deploy. After this transaction, the Nuggets once again enriched their lineup, and Le Brown also chose to return with a basic salary to help the team.

The Nuggets in the new season look like a perfect restructuring of the championship team in 23 years. Although both of them were not outstanding on the defensive end, Huang Zhong had lower costs, good shooting ability, and even better offensive attack power than Porter Jr. More importantly, after Porter left, the Nuggets' salary structure became easier, directly reducing luxury tax expenses by 40 million yuan, and they also obtained a full middle-class space of 14.1 million yuan and a transaction exception of 16.8 million yuan to further strengthen the lineup.

Nuggets successfully repaired their previous weaknesses in this transaction. Looking back at the playoffs against the Thunder, the biggest problem is that Porter Jr.'s firepower is insufficient, which almost becomes a reaction force. In addition, Westbrook's performance was limited, and the Nuggets' rotation depth was obviously insufficient, and they encountered a powerful attack from the Thunder. In the end, he was still close to 7 games, reflecting the fighting spirit of other core players such as Braun, Jokic, Murray and Gordon.

In the absence of Porter, the introduction of Huang Zhong not only did not weaken the team, but instead enhanced his strength. Le Brown can take on the role of Westbrook, which makes the Nuggets less interested in Westbrook, and Westbrook may choose the King. The Nuggets' starting lineup now looks pretty good, with configurations such as Murray, Brown, Huang Zhong, Gordon and Jokic. In terms of substitutes, middle-class recruitment can be used again to form an effective rotation of 8 to 9 people. There is no doubt that the Nuggets will become a force that cannot be ignored in the new season of the West.

Compared with the East, the competition in the West this year is like purgatory, and each team does its best to win the championship. Judging from the current situation, the possibility of the Thunder winning the championship next season is slim. Since the Warriors achieved consecutive championships in 2017 and 2018, there has been no team in the NBA that has won the championship again. Although the Nuggets won the championship in 2023, they were almost eliminated next season. Similarly, the Celtics stopped quickly after winning the championship, and the challenges that should not be underestimated are still ahead.

Nights and the Rockets are now likely to break out of the fiercely competitive West. The two teams strengthened their respective shortcomings in the playoffs. For example, when the Rockets faced the Warriors, they immediately filled in the offensive shortcomings by introducing Durant, renewed Adams and added Capela, further strengthening the inside and forward line. It is worth noting that compared with the Nuggets, the Rockets' young player lineup remains stable and the future draft picks are firmly grasped. Not only do they win now, they also show strong future potential, which is exciting.