Which team does Brooklyn make a deal with in this scenario? One NBA analyst mapped out this idea.
The Brooklyn Nets face a big choice between the end of 2025 and February's trade deadline.
Brooklyn, despite being the Atlantic's last place team, can continue to roll with the lineup that's sparked a strong December that's seen six wins in the last nine games. That lineup is soon re-adding Cam Thomas, who had been missing with an injury and was averaging 21.4 points per game beforehand.
Or, the Nets can relieve some salary cap space and tinker with the roster.
Yet the latter idea involves this big risk: Sending away leading scorer Michael Porter Jr., especially with the massive salary he still commands.
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints brought up this proposal involving "MPJ:" He lands with a Western Conference team he knows trying to "save their season" as Siegel put it.
He believes the Los Angeles Clippers should take a swing at Porter for these reasons.
"Time is running out for the LA Clippers to save their season. This organization does not own their first-round pick, which happens to be owned by the Oklahoma City Thunder, and they have signaled that they do not have any intentions of taking back long-term money," Siegel writes. "That makes their pool of potential trade targets very slim, and Michael Porter Jr. stands out on this list, especially with the year he's having in Brooklyn."
Siegel outlined the additional reasons why he believes LAC should go after Brooklyn's top scorer.
"Porter is averaging 25.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game this season while shooting 40.1 percent from 3-point range," Siegel said.
He believes Kawhi Leonard and James Harden will benefit greatly from adding Porter to the lineup.
"The Clippers need this type of player alongside Harden and Leonard if they are to make any type of late-season push for the playoffs, and the best part about Porter is that he will be a free agent at the same time as LA's stars," Siegel said.
Again, moving MPJ won't be an easy feat for general manager Sean Marks.
Porter Jr. isn't just creating a massive December for Brooklyn, but he believes he feels valued with the franchise. He's clearly become beloved inside the locker room and a new fan favorite among Brooklyn fans. Plus, he's shown to have the better on-court chemistry with this current lineup -- including with the deep rookie class earning their own minutes.
Even sending Porter to LAC doesn't guarantee a playoff push for the franchise. The Clippers are a dismal 8-21 overall...owning a worse record than the Nets.