The Warriors came into the offseason looking for a real upgrade, but the path they’ve taken has been anything but straightforward. Golden State has been tied to a handful of names, yet the biggest obstacle might not be the market itself - it could be Steve Kerr’s view of one of the most obvious fits.
Michael Porter Jr. has been floated as a possible target for the Warriors, and on paper the match makes sense. He brings the kind of perimeter shooting and off-ball movement that would slide neatly into Golden State’s motion offense. Last season, Porter Jr. put up a career-best 24.2 points per game, along with 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists, while shooting 46.3% from the field and 36.3% from three.
Still, Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin O’Connor reported that Kerr’s opinion could be a major factor in whether the Warriors actually pursue him. As O’Connor wrote:
“B ut if it’s not Davis, then who: Trey Murphy? League sources say the Pelicans have resisted all trade offers so far and hope to compete next season.
Michael Porter Jr.? Sources say that Steve Kerr didn’t want MPJ in February, and there is little reason to believe he would want him now.”
That matters because Golden State has been quiet so far. More than three weeks into free agency, the Warriors still haven’t landed a notable signing, even after being linked to players such as LeBron James. Recent buzz has suggested that any chance of signing James may depend on the team’s ability to acquire Anthony Davis from the Washington Wizards.
That route is far from simple. A Davis trade brings plenty of complications, which is why a fallback plan would seem logical.
Porter Jr. looked like one of those alternatives, especially with Jimmy Butler sidelined by injury and Stephen Curry still needing help on the scoring end. But Kerr’s reported reluctance makes that option look shaky.
If Porter Jr. and Trey Murphy III are both effectively off the table, the Warriors’ choices get thin in a hurry. O’Connor noted that Golden State can put together a strong package of draft compensation, but the quality of available trade targets may not match the team’s needs.
For now, the most likely focus appears to remain Davis, even if that feels like a long shot at the moment. The situation could shift once he becomes extension-eligible on Aug. 6, and there are even suggestions that LeBron James is waiting to see how the Wizards handle that timeline.
There’s also a broader fallback if the Warriors miss on James altogether. NBA insider Anthony Slater has said the team could pivot toward the post-Steph era and take a longer view.
Porter Jr.’s own situation is unsettled as well. Despite a strong individual season with the Nets, extension talks are approaching and there’s no certainty about what comes next. If a deal doesn’t materialize, a trade may end up being the cleanest outcome for him - even if Golden State no longer looks like the destination.
In Other News...
Former Nets Wing Tyrese Martin Just Took A Surprising Career Turn
Tyrese Martins pro career is taking an unexpected turn after the former Nets wing signed a one-year deal with FC Barcelona, giving him his first opportunity to play in Europe. After spending time in the NBA and G League, including stops with Brooklyn and Philadelphia, Martin now moves into a new setting with a team that sees him fitting as a three-and-D wing for the coming season.
For the Nets, it is another reminder of how quickly the league can send a player down a different path after his time in Brooklyn. Martin had worked his way into a dependable role during his development, and now his next chapter begins overseas with a club that will ask him to bring the same kind of versatility and edge that made him useful in the NBA. [Read more 🡒]
Nets Fans Should Love What Just Happened In Philadelphia
The latest move in Philadelphia should have Nets fans paying close attention, because Brooklyn still has a real stake in what the 76ers become over the next few seasons. The pick at the center of it all came over in the James Harden-for-Ben Simmons trade, and it remains one of the more interesting pieces of Brooklyns long-term draft portfolio.
Now the 76ers look even more dangerous, with LeBron James joining a roster that already includes Jaylen Brown. For Brooklyn, that kind of upgrade cuts both ways in the short term, but it also makes the 2028 first-rounder more likely to land outside the top 8, which is exactly the kind of outcome the Nets need if they want to cash in on the deal. [Read more 🡒]
Nets Just Reignited A Frustrating Question About This Rebuild
Brooklyns offseason has already drawn a harsh read in the latest Atlantic Division review, and the criticism lands on a familiar theme for this rebuild: the Nets keep trying to balance patience with enough veteran talent to stay competitive. Their summer moves were not empty, either. The team used its cap space to bring in Mo Wagner and Keon Ellis, while also making a trade for Julius Randle, giving the roster a different look heading into the season.
The problem, from a Brooklyn perspective, is what those choices say about the direction of the rebuild. Adding a veteran like Randle can help in the short term, but it also raises the same old question about how many development reps are really left for the younger players the Nets are supposed to be building around. In a division where other teams were judged more favorably, Brooklyns offseason was left with a grade of D, a reminder that the front office still has work to do to make the plan feel coherent. [Read more 🡒]