Why Trading Michael Porter Jr. Would Be a Mistake for the Nets

The Brooklyn Nets' rumored willingness to listen to trade offers for Michael Porter Jr. has sparked plenty of discussion this offseason.

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, Brooklyn is willing to discuss Porter for the right price. But if the Nets are serious about building something sustainable, moving Porter may be the wrong move.

When Brooklyn acquired Porter in the deal that sent Cam Johnson to Denver, there was understandable skepticism. Porter was seen primarily as a third option with the Nuggets, benefiting from the attention defenses had to give Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

That version of Porter no longer exists in Brooklyn.

The Nets didn't acquire Denver's third option. They uncovered a player capable of carrying an offense.

Brooklyn immediately asked Porter to take on a larger role, and he responded with the most complete season of his career. In a lead offensive role, Porter averaged 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from three-point range.

More than the numbers, though, was the shift in role. Porter became a primary option, a stabilizing scorer, and a veteran presence for a young roster learning how to compete.

And he has made his intentions clear. Following the season, Porter said:

“If it was up to me, I’d love to sign an extension with this franchise. I would love to spend many, many years in Brooklyn and make this my home and watch this franchise take off.”

Those comments matter.

While Porter is entering the final season of his five-year, $179 million contract, that reality cuts both ways. His expiring deal could make him attractive to other teams, but it also limits what those teams may be willing to offer. Few organizations will surrender a massive package for a player who could test free agency the following summer.

Brooklyn also shouldn't forget the circumstances surrounding his arrival. Denver had to attach a first-round pick to convince the Nets to take on Porter's contract. One year later, Porter has dramatically increased his value while proving he can thrive in a featured role.

The Nets now face a choice. They can cash out on a strong season and hope the return justifies the move, or they can continue building around a player who has already embraced the franchise and exceeded expectations.

Unless another team is offering multiple first-round picks or a young player with legitimate star potential, it's difficult to envision a return package that benefits Brooklyn more than simply keeping Porter.

The Nets spent the last year watching Porter transform from a complementary piece into a legitimate offensive centerpiece. If Brooklyn wants to build a contender, that's not the type of player you trade away.

It's the type of player you build around.

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