Michael Porter Jr. is once again showing up in trade discussions, and his contract could make the Brooklyn Nets an interesting team to watch. Here’s why a move could make sense for both sides.
The Brooklyn Nets could face an interesting decision at the NBA trade deadline, and Michael Porter Jr. is once again at the center of the conversation.
Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley recently ranked the NBA’s top 10 potential trade targets, with Porter coming in at No. 8 on the list.
Porter’s inclusion should not come as much of a surprise. The 28-year-old has been mentioned as a potential trade candidate since arriving in Brooklyn, largely because of the mismatch between his timeline and where the Nets are in their rebuild.
That mismatch could become even more important as the season moves along.
Porter is coming off the best offensive season of his career, averaging a career-high 24.2 points per game while knocking down a career-best 3.4 three-pointers per game. He also remains one of the better high-volume shooters in the league at 6-foot-10, with a career three-point percentage of 39.8%.
That combination of size and shooting could make Porter an attractive option for teams looking to add scoring on the wing.
His contract may be just as important.
Porter is entering the final year of his contract and is set to make $40.8 million this season. Unless the two sides agree to an extension, there is a legitimate possibility that Brooklyn could explore moving him rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer.
Buckley pointed to that expiring contract as one of the biggest reasons Porter makes sense as a trade target, while also noting the limitations in his game. Porter is not much of a playmaker, and his defensive impact can be inconsistent, meaning his value largely comes from his ability to knock down shots.
That leaves Brooklyn with a pretty straightforward question: Is Porter part of the Nets’ long-term plans?
Brooklyn has spent the past year accumulating young talent and draft capital, and Porter is already 28 years old. If the Nets believe he can be part of their next competitive team, keeping him around makes plenty of sense. If they view him as a player who could command a significant contract without necessarily fitting their long-term timeline, exploring the trade market could be the better option.
Another player on Buckley’s list could also become a name worth revisiting for Brooklyn.
Trey Murphy III came in at No. 2, with Buckley highlighting his age, three-and-D ability, scoring, and relatively affordable contract. The Nets were linked to Murphy earlier this offseason, although nothing came of those discussions and he remains with the New Orleans Pelicans.
That could always change down the road. If Murphy becomes available at some point, Brooklyn could revisit its interest, particularly given the value of adding a young wing who can shoot and defend.
There are also three former Nets appearing elsewhere on Buckley’s list.
Kevin Durant ranked No. 3, Kyrie Irving came in at No. 4, and Jarrett Allen landed at No. 5. All three have taken very different paths since their time in Brooklyn, but their presence shows just how much talent has passed through the organization in recent years.
For now, Porter remains in Brooklyn and should be one of the more interesting players to monitor once the trade market begins to take shape.
The Nets do not have to move him. But if they decide that turning Porter's expiring contract and career year into additional long-term assets is the right move, plenty of teams should be willing to at least make the call.
