Michael Porter Jr. Drawing Trade Interest as Nets Embrace Rebuild
The Brooklyn Nets are officially open for business - and that includes listening to offers for one of their most productive players this season. According to league sources, the team is taking calls on most of its veteran roster, and that includes 27-year-old forward Michael Porter Jr., who’s quietly putting together a career year in his first season with the Nets.
Porter, who arrived in Brooklyn as part of the Cam Johnson trade, is averaging 25.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting an efficient 49% from the field, 40% from three, and 82% from the line. Those are eye-popping numbers, especially considering he’s doing it as the focal point of an offense that’s still trying to find its identity.
But as good as Porter has been, the Nets’ direction is clear - and it’s not about pushing for the play-in. Sitting at 8-19 and 13th in the Eastern Conference, Brooklyn is four and a half games out of the final play-in spot.
The front office isn’t chasing wins right now. They’re building for the future, and trading Porter could accelerate that timeline.
A Valuable Trade Chip in a Seller’s Market
Porter is in the second-to-last year of the five-year extension he signed with Denver, making $38.3 million this season and $40.8 million next. That contract was a key reason the Nuggets moved him in the offseason - shedding his salary allowed them to make several important roster additions, even if it cost a first-round pick to do it.
Now, the Nets could flip Porter for similar value. He’s proven he can be a primary scorer, and for teams looking to make a postseason push, that kind of offensive firepower doesn’t come cheap. He’s also got playoff experience under his belt, which only adds to his appeal.
Porter has expressed interest in staying in Brooklyn, and he’s clearly thriving in a bigger role. But this is a business, and the Nets are in asset-accumulation mode.
They already hold five first-round picks in 2025, and they currently have the sixth-worst record in the league - good for a 37.2% chance at a top-four pick and a 9% shot at the No. 1 overall selection. Moving Porter could help them slide further down the standings, increasing those odds even more.
If Brooklyn finishes with one of the three worst records, they’d be guaranteed the best possible lottery odds - a 14% chance at the top pick. That’s the kind of leverage the front office is looking for, and trading their leading scorer would be a major step toward that goal.
No Return to Denver, But a Contender Could Come Calling
Let’s get one thing out of the way: a reunion with the Nuggets isn’t on the table. Denver made its move this past summer, and they’re not expected to be active at the trade deadline. But that doesn’t mean Porter won’t find himself back in the playoff spotlight.
For teams on the fringe of contention - or even those looking to solidify their title chances - Porter represents a rare combination of size, scoring, and experience. He’s shown in Brooklyn that he can carry a heavier offensive load, and that could make him an intriguing fit as a second or third option on a team with championship aspirations.
The Nets, meanwhile, are focused on the long game. They’re not trying to force their way into the postseason this year. They’re trying to position themselves for the next phase - one built around draft picks, cap flexibility, and young talent.
Whether Porter ends up on a contender or finishes the season in Brooklyn, his name is one to watch closely as the February 5 trade deadline approaches. He’s playing some of the best basketball of his career, and in a league where scorers of his caliber are always in demand, the phones in Brooklyn aren’t going to stop ringing anytime soon.