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You might think most NBA players wouldn’t have much to complain about after signing a max contract, but Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr. says he did find himself grappling with a new reality after earning the right to ink a deal worth $172 million.
In 2018, the Denver Nuggets selected University of Missouri product Michael Porter Jr. with the 14th overall pick in the NBA Draft.
He was forced to delay his debut with the franchise due to back surgery that sidelined him for what would have been his rookie year, but he emerged as a solid contributor after kicking off his inaugural campaign in 2019 before a breakout season the following year where he averaged 19 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
In 2021, the forward was rewarded for that performance with a five-year rookie max extension that would’ve been worth $207 million if he’d been named to the All-Star Team the following season, but he was ultimately forced to settle for a mere $172 million after failing to make the cut.
Now, I can’t say I personally know what it’s like to get paid over $35 million a year, but Porter is lucky enough to be in that position—and he says he did get a bit of a wake-up call after upgrading from a rookie deal where he was “only” making around $4 million a season
During a recent appearance on Off Guard with Austin Rivers, Porter detailed the adjustment he had to make after signing his max extension and the impact it had on the love of the sport he’s devoted his life to.
Porter acknowledged he’s not immune to the pressure that comes with the money he makes, saying:
“I love basketball so much I would’ve played this game for free as long as I could eat. The money was never my goal…
The money almost sometimes makes it a little bit harder to enjoy the game because with a max contract comes a lot of expectations on consistency. You’re supposed to be an All-Star, you’re supposed to be this, that, whatever they say.
So sometimes it can away a little bit of the joy just because of all the expectations that surround it.”
While Porter’s situation might not seem super relatable at first glance, he’s far from the only person who’s been able to make a living doing something they’re passionate about before having to reconcile the reality that comes with doing it as your primary job.