Michael Porter Jr. says the contract talks with the Brooklyn Nets are moving along, just not in a way that’s occupying his day-to-day.
Speaking at his Media Day interview on Monday, the 28-year-old forward said the extension discussion between his camp and Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks is happening, but it isn’t front and center for him.
"It might sound strange, but it's literally not on my mind at all. I know I hired a great agent, and I know him and Sean have been speaking some," Porter said to the media during his Media Day interview on Monday.
Porter entered the 2026 NBA offseason eligible for an extension, and the sides appear interested in getting something done. Still, there’s no sense of urgency attached to it right now.
"For me, I'm just excited to play basketball. I never was a dude who played basketball for a big contract or for the money," Porter continued.
"For me, I'm just excited to play with these guys and be in Brooklyn and build this organization as one of the leaders. I voiced that I would love to be in Brooklyn and that I'm enjoying playing with these guys."
That stance fits with the way Porter is framing this season. He’s preparing to be one of Brooklyn’s main scoring and shooting options again, and he’s coming off the strongest year of his career. Last season, he averaged 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game while shooting 46.3% from the field and 36.3% from 3-point range.
The financial side is sizable. Porter can sign an extension worth up to four years and $234 million, and there’s been curiosity around the league about how much Brooklyn would be willing to commit to keep him.
Porter has made his preference clear: he wants to stay with the Nets long term. But that future could still be shaped by what happens if another team makes an offer too strong to ignore, especially with Brooklyn still in the middle of its rebuild.
The situation may not resolve quickly. The extension talk could stretch through much of the season, since Porter can still be extended after the year ends. Even so, whether he’s still in Brooklyn after the February trade deadline could say plenty about where things stand between the two sides.
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