Nuggets GM walks back player criticism

Booth spoke with the Ringer about building a championship team in Denver, touching on the limitations of several current and former Nuggets. He said Michael Porter Jr. and Bones Hyland were "two guys that couldn’t guard," and called them both "me guys" in explaining why the Nuggets traded Hyland.

Part of his philosophy with Denver is to avoid overlapping strengths and weaknesses, so by that rationale, Hyland had to go. It's unlikely Booth meant to be quite so harsh about Porter, who is signed long-term with Denver and who did show progress on the defensive end last season.

Booth was dismissive of former Nugget Bruce Brown, who signed with the Indiana Pacers as a free agent, comparing him unfavorably to second-year player Peyton Watson.

"Some of these teams were trying to get Bruce, trying to make it worth it; it’s like, just be careful what you wish for,” Booth said. “Peyton’s bigger. He’s longer. He’s more athletic. He guards better. He passes better."

It sounds as if Booth believed he was speaking off the record with the Ringer, or the blowback from his comments was embarrassing. He amended his Porter comments, telling reporters, "Obviously, Mike is a core piece of our program with his character and offensive and defensive prowess."

Booth also called Hyland a "great kid" and a "charismatic player in our game." It's not clear why Booth feels the quotes were "unfair...to be put out there."

Perhaps there was journalistic malpractice at play, but it's possible that second-year GM Booth simply wasn't careful with a reporter. Much like a player matched up with Hyland or Porter, Booth was unguarded.