The Brooklyn Nets continue to hear about Michael Porter Jr. possibly being on the move. Except this Western Conference team looks to be out.
Michael Porter Jr. played through pain during an agonizing Wednesday night defeat inside Madison Square Garden. And played amid a period of uncertainty surrounding his Brooklyn Nets future.
He scored 12 points as the New York Knicks rolled to an astonishing 120-66 rout. Except MPJ confessed afterward with reporters that he's played with an MCL sprain in his knee. But playing with an injury isn't the only reason why Porter's name has surfaced on internet searches.
Same with trade inquiries, which NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints helped dive into Thursday.
Porter's name entered the picture for the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers. Siegel, however, indicated that both are out on Porter -- including one that Siegel said was never a "realistic possibility."
"The Nets continue to indicate they are comfortable keeping Michael Porter Jr. and aren't in a rush to trade him. Porter doesn't appear to be on the Warriors' radar in the wake of Jimmy Butler's injury, and the Lakers do not hold interest either, sources told ClutchPoints," Siegel posted on the social media website X, formerly known as Twitter.
But Siegel further elaborated on the situation out in Southern California -- detailing why "MPJ" likely won't team with LeBron James or Luka Doncic.
"While quickly on the topic of Porter, it is worth mentioning that the talk of the Los Angeles Lakers possibly throwing their hat in the mix for Porter isn't a realistic possibility and something they do not have a desire to do, sources said," Siegel wrote.
There's another reason why the front office in El Segundo doesn't want to attempt to create a deal to land MPJ.
"The Lakers have signaled that they do not want to take on big money at this time, regardless of how many years a player has left on their contract," Siegel said.
But with the Lakers now out, what does this mean for Brooklyn and MPJ moving forward?
"All indications coming out of Brooklyn are that the Nets are very comfortable keeping Porter and don't feel a need to rush a decision," Siegel writes.
But that doesn't mean Porter is a lock to stay in the New York region, Siegel adds.
"Trade talks could be revisited in the summer, as rival teams continue to get the sense that the Nets will keep Porter as their focal scorer heading into the offseason," he said.
Join the Community! Don't miss out on our NETS ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news! It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected.