After a career year, Michael Porter Jr. vocalizes his desire to remain a Net, eyeing a long-term extension and making Brooklyn his home.
Michael Porter Jr. had a career year in his first season with the Brooklyn Nets, averaging 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and a career-best three assists.
Nearing the end of a five-year, $179 million rookie deal he initially signed with the Denver Nuggets, Porter is eligible this summer to sign an extension with the Nets a year before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Roundtable's Demetrius Montero recently reported on this possibility, noting that Porter is eligible on July 6 to sign a four-year, $234 million deal with Brooklyn.
On Monday, following the end of the regular season, Porter told reporters in the team's season wrap-up press conference he wants to be a part of the Nets' turnaround.
"If it was up to me, I'd love to sign an extension with this franchise," Porter said. "I would love to spend many, many years in Brooklyn and make this my home and watch this franchise take off."
Porter also said he had a phone call with both general manager Sean Marks and assistant GM Andy Birdsong. Nets reporter Erik Slater noted the two sides "haven't had substantive extension talks yet."
The Nets' swap of Cameron Johnson for Porter last offseason has been a huge win and extending him might be a priority as the team looks for young talent in the NBA draft to build alongside their 6-foot-10 sharpshooting forward.
In late March, the Nets' trade for Porter was characterized by ESPN contributor Zach Cram as a top-five move of the 2025 offseason. As part of the trade, the Nets also acquired a 2032 unprotected first-rounder from the Denver Nuggets.
Porter looked comfortable in his new role with the Nets, increasing his scoring while keeping his shooting marks relatively stable, shooting at 46.3/36.3/85.9 splits. Porter has also become a much more willing passer in Brooklyn after earning a reputation as one of the lowest assist guys in the league.
His free-throw shooting also improved in Porter's first season as a No. 1 option. He doubled his attempts per game and shot a career-high 85.9 percent from the charity stripe.
Regardless of where the Nets land in the draft, Porter is an immediate fit thanks to his size and shooting ability. His 3-point efficiency, along with improved passing and rebounding numbers, paired with his apparent belief in the franchise, make a strong case for a long-term deal.
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