Just a couple weeks ago, Michael Porter Jr. was being floated as a potential trade target for the Golden State Warriors. But with the trade deadline fast approaching on February 5, it’s becoming clearer by the day: the Warriors are swinging for the fences. It’s Giannis Antetokounmpo or bust.
Antetokounmpo’s reported desire to leave Milwaukee has completely shifted the conversation around Golden State’s trade strategy. And while Porter was once seen as a high-upside option to complement the Warriors’ core, he might not be on the market at all.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, there’s no indication the Brooklyn Nets are actually shopping Porter. Despite the buzz, Windhorst said he hasn’t heard anything suggesting the 6'10" forward is available. That’s a significant pivot, especially considering how Porter’s play has turned heads across the league.
And it’s not hard to see why teams would be interested. Porter has been lighting it up for a rebuilding Nets squad.
On Thursday, he poured in 38 points, grabbed 10 boards, and added three assists, two steals, and two blocks against his former team, the Denver Nuggets. He shot 7-of-15 from deep in that game - the kind of outing that makes front offices take notice.
That performance came just days after another offensive explosion, this time against the Phoenix Suns. Porter dropped 36 points on 15-of-24 shooting, including 6-of-10 from beyond the arc, and chipped in five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. He’s not just putting up numbers - he’s doing it efficiently and consistently, even as the Nets struggle in the standings.
Brooklyn’s current situation actually works in their favor. Porter’s stellar play is boosting his value, but the team’s losing streak - seven straight and 12 of their last 13 - helps their long-term rebuild. It’s a rare win-win: showcase your top veteran while staying on track for lottery odds.
As for the Warriors, their focus has shifted. The season-ending injury to Jimmy Butler has changed the calculus.
Even if they could land Porter, pairing him with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green likely wouldn’t be enough to make real noise in a loaded Western Conference. The same goes for other mid-tier targets floating around the rumor mill.
That’s why Golden State is all-in on Antetokounmpo. Anything short of a blockbuster deal for the two-time MVP doesn’t move the needle. If they can’t land Giannis, the front office appears content to stand pat and reassess in the offseason.
That could open the door for Jonathan Kuminga to get more meaningful minutes down the stretch. The young forward has shown flashes, and if he continues to develop, his trade value could rise significantly by the summer.
So while the Warriors will keep one eye on the Antetokounmpo situation until the clock runs out, don’t expect them to pivot to Porter or anyone else as a consolation prize. This deadline isn’t about incremental upgrades - it’s about chasing a game-changer.
And unless that game-changer is wearing No. 34, Golden State seems ready to ride out the season with what they’ve got.