NEWSLETTER
Woj Bombs don’t take days off, not even for NBA media day, and the veteran ESPN NBA reporter stole the headlines this afternoon by breaking the news of Michael Porter Jr.’s new five-year extension with the Denver Nuggets.
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., has agreed on a five-year designated max extension that could be worth up to $207 million, his agent Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 27, 2021
Wojnarowski reported that the deal is worth $172M, unless he reaches the designated max criteria and makes one of the three All-NBA teams this season, in which case it would elevate to reach the originally reported $207 million mark. Porter Jr. joins Luka Doncic, Trae Young, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as 2018 draft peers who’ve signed max rookie extensions with the super-max provisions, per Wojnarowski.
This deal doesn’t really do anything in the way of setting a market for what a Zach LaVine extension might look like because a max contract is just that. Still, if a player of MPJ’s caliber is getting a max extension potentially worth north of $200 million, then there’s no doubt that Zach LaVine will get PAID by the Bulls. But, again, we already knew that.
It’s NBA media day, and the quotes were plentiful for us hoops fans today from all over the league. But, in one of the biggest stories around the league right now, Ben Simmons is not planning on reporting to 76ers camp, and Joel Embiid isn’t very happy about the distraction.
"Honestly, we just all gotta grow up."
Wonder who Joel Embiid is talking about…😂 pic.twitter.com/ER9wMxW8RN
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) September 27, 2021
Embiid is, of course, commenting on Ben Simmons’ grievance with the 76ers and continued trade rumors involving Simmons. He’s not wrong. Simmons signed a five-year, $167 million max extension with Philly back in 2019 and is under contract with the 76ers through the next four seasons. So Philly is on the hook for the remaining $147 million, making the effort to find a partner for a Simmons trade pretty tricky.
Giannis Antetokounmpo shared the details of his journey with the Larry O’Brien Trophy this summer after the Milwaukee Bucks won the NBA Finals.
🗒️✍️ @Giannis_An34 details the journey he took the Larry O'Brien 🏆 on this summer.#NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/sPg6sUzcrk
— NBA (@NBA) September 27, 2021
After using the Larry O’Brien trophy to plate his 50-piece chicken nuggets from Chik-Fil-A and doing a little bit of snuggling, Giannis shared some time with his family and the trophy over the summer.
Might Giannis have another summer with the trophy? That’s the goal coming from the Bucks as training camp is set to open this week.
"Do it again." 🏆
Khris Middleton on Coach Bud's message to the reigning champion @Bucks.#NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/ZpOt77BMBj
— NBA (@NBA) September 27, 2021
Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics will be one of the teams trying to make sure the Bucks don’t repeat as NBA Champions this season, and his time with USA Basketball during this summer’s Olympics had a significant impact on Tatum.
Jayson Tatum on what his @usabasketball experience did for his development as a player. 🥇#NBAMediaDay on @NBATV pic.twitter.com/eISj3XJ0vG
— NBA (@NBA) September 27, 2021
Damian Lillard has been involved in trade rumors for what seems like ages at this point, but with the Trailblazers set to open camp this week, Dame appears like he’s all-in with Portland, again, at least for now.
Dame speaks on his belief in this year's @trailblazers team!#NBAMediaDay on @NBATV pic.twitter.com/PVKj2WoOLs
— NBA (@NBA) September 27, 2021
The Brooklyn nets should be able to sleepwalk into the NBA Finals this season with their big three finally all healthy at the same time.
"Honestly it's not about me or KD or Kyrie, it's about everyone else on the team… and to make sure that everybody knows their role."
James Harden previews the Nets' upcoming season with @StephanieReady #NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/JF31U9BFhJ
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 27, 2021
But there’s also the whole Kyrie Irving thing. He seems like a guy who has trouble fitting in wherever he goes, so that adds a wrinkle into Brooklyn’s championship aspirations that will be interesting to monitor.
This man will be missed by the Bulls this season.
https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/1442543622885462021?s=20
David Letterman stopped by Nets media day to razz Kevin Durant a bit. I have no idea how so many people do not know who David Letterman is. Wild to me.
David Letterman Showed Up at Nets Media Day to Troll Kevin Durant (And Apparently Most of Twitter)https://t.co/8bcW06Xto9
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) September 27, 2021
We’ll wrap it up with a combo we can all appreciate; hoop and puppies. Who doesn’t have a soft spot for puppies?
If you don’t have puppies on Media Day, you’re doing it wrong 🥺 @spcaoftexas@T_HardJR | #MFFL pic.twitter.com/o9eTfNVmQY
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) September 27, 2021
