Michael Porter Jr. didn't hold back when asked about the Denver Nuggets' early playoff exit—and his message was crystal clear: they made a mistake letting him go.

Last offseason, the Nuggets made a bold move, trading Porter Jr. and a first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for sharpshooter Cameron Johnson. The deal was partly a salary-cap decision, but Denver hoped it would reignite their championship ambitions. After all, it's been a few seasons since they hoisted the Larry O'Brien trophy in 2023, and the front office was eager to build a roster capable of another deep run.

That dream came crashing down Thursday night when the Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the Nuggets in the first round, winning the series 4-2. For a team that once sat atop the NBA, it was a bitter end to a season full of promise.

When a reporter asked Porter Jr. for his reaction to his former team's downfall, the Nets star didn't mince words. "Shouldn't have traded me," he said bluntly during a live stream Friday afternoon. Pressed further on whether the Nuggets would have fared better with him in the lineup, he doubled down: "Yes, shouldn't have traded me, man."

The numbers back him up—at least on the surface. Porter Jr. nearly doubled Johnson's scoring output this season in Brooklyn. Of course, context matters: with the Nets, he was the clear No. 1 option, a role he rarely enjoyed in Denver's star-studded rotation. Still, his confidence is undeniable.

Despite the Nuggets' struggles, Porter Jr. isn't looking back with regret. He's focused on the future in Brooklyn. "Honestly, I'm living my best life in Brooklyn, even though we didn't do well this year," he said. "I see the future. We're the youngest team in the league, we got a lot of money to spend. I think we go get a good player in the draft, I think we'll be aight."

For Nuggets fans, that's a tough pill to swallow. For Porter Jr., it's just another chapter in a career that's proving—one bold take at a time—that he's still got plenty to say.