The Golden State Warriors find themselves at a crossroads. Sitting at 15-15, this team is teetering between staying competitive in a loaded Western Conference or fading into irrelevance before the All-Star break.
With the trade deadline creeping closer, the front office has some decisions to make-and fast. While a blockbuster name like Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t walking through that door, the Warriors don’t necessarily need a megastar.
What they need is a player who fits. And right now, there might not be a cleaner fit than Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr.
Let’s break down why Porter makes so much sense for Golden State-and why general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. should have him circled in red ink on the trade board.
1. Elite Shooting That Stretches the Floor
Porter’s calling card has always been his shooting. In Denver, he knocked down 40.6% of his threes on six attempts per game-a number that held strong even in the postseason, where he shot 37.4% from deep on nearly the same volume. The big question heading into this season was whether that efficiency would hold up without Nikola Jokić spoon-feeding him open looks.
Turns out, Porter didn’t just maintain his shooting-he dialed it up. In Brooklyn, he’s letting it fly over nine times per game from beyond the arc and still hitting at a 40.0% clip.
That’s elite volume and efficiency. And when you dig into the numbers, it gets even better: Porter is hitting 42.1% of his wide-open threes and 44.8% of his open looks.
Those are the kinds of shots he’d get in bunches playing next to Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler.
Golden State has been searching for a reliable secondary shooter to complement Curry. They hoped Buddy Hield would be that guy, but his inconsistency has pushed him out of the rotation.
Porter wouldn't just fill that role-he’d elevate it. He’d be the best pure shooter the Warriors have had since Klay Thompson’s departure.
2. Reducing the Load on Draymond Green
Draymond Green’s offensive decline has been a growing concern, and his recent sideline blowup with Steve Kerr only added more tension to an already complicated situation. Realistically, the Warriors need to start thinking about how to transition Draymond into a late-career Andre Iguodala-type role-coming off the bench, defending at a high level, but not being asked to initiate or space the floor.
Enter Porter.
A starting five of Curry, Brandin Podziemski or Moses Moody, Butler, Porter, and Quinten Post gives Golden State three high-level shooters around Butler and Curry. That kind of spacing would open up the offense in ways we haven’t seen since the peak “Strength in Numbers” era. And Porter’s presence doesn’t mean Draymond is obsolete-he could still play valuable minutes, especially in lineups where Porter helps mask his offensive limitations with floor spacing.
Kerr could stagger rotations to maximize Curry and Porter’s minutes together, or lean on Porter’s shooting when Steph sits. Either way, it gives the Warriors the kind of lineup flexibility they’ve been sorely lacking.
3. More Than Just a Catch-and-Shoot Threat
While Porter’s shooting is the headline, his offensive game has expanded in Brooklyn. He’s taking a larger share of his shots after holding the ball for two seconds or more-38.2% of his attempts this season versus 31.9% last year. That indicates more on-ball responsibility, and while the efficiency has dipped slightly (47.0% from the field, 35.5% from three), he’s still producing at a solid clip.
He’s not going to break defenders down like a primary ball handler, but he doesn’t need to. What he does provide is a legitimate secondary scoring option behind Curry and Butler-something the Warriors desperately need.
For comparison, Moody is shooting just 36.4% from the field in those same situations, including 2-for-11 from deep. Porter’s ability to create and convert in isolation or off the dribble gives the offense another dimension.
4. A Legitimate Rebounding Boost
Defense has been a strength for the Warriors this season, but rebounding? Not so much.
They’re near the bottom of the league in most rebounding metrics, including adjusted rebounding chance percentage, where they rank 25th. That’s a problem for a team that’s already undersized across the board.
Porter, at a true 6’10”, brings size and rebounding instincts that could immediately help. He’s averaged at least 7.0 rebounds per game in each of the past three seasons and has never dipped below 6.8 per 36 minutes. Even if he’s not a lockdown defender-and his back issues and occasional lapses have been well documented-he’s a plus on the glass.
That kind of production on the boards would be a welcome sight in Golden State, where too many possessions are ending with second-chance opportunities for the opposition.
5. The Contract Factor: A Hidden Advantage
Now, let’s talk business. Porter is in the fourth year of a five-year, $179.2 million deal-a hefty number that’s scaring off a lot of contenders under the current CBA. He’s seen as a secondary or tertiary piece, and that salary makes it tough for teams to justify giving up premium assets.
That’s where the Warriors could have a real edge.
Golden State has pieces that could make a deal work without mortgaging the future. Jonathan Kuminga and Moody are both on team-friendly contracts, and Buddy Hield’s deal only has $3 million in guaranteed money left after this season. Package those three with a 2026 first-round pick, and you’ve got a compelling offer that doesn’t require the Dubs to go all-in.
That kind of package could also allow the Warriors to convert Pat Spencer to a full NBA deal and still leave room to sign another player to round out the roster. There’s even the possibility of a third team getting involved-perhaps one high on Kuminga’s upside-to help facilitate the trade.
And while it’s unlikely, the Warriors could explore a bigger shake-up by including Draymond in a deal. That’s a longer shot, but it speaks to the flexibility Golden State has if they decide to pivot more aggressively.
The Bottom Line
Michael Porter Jr. checks a lot of boxes for the Warriors. He’s an elite shooter, a capable secondary scorer, a strong rebounder, and a floor spacer who fits seamlessly with the current core. He wouldn’t require a blockbuster package to acquire, and he wouldn’t force the team into an all-or-nothing gamble.
In a season where Golden State is hovering around .500, Porter represents a chance to get better now and keep the long-term picture intact. For a team trying to make one more meaningful run in the Curry era, that’s the kind of move that could make all the difference.
If the Warriors want to stay in the fight out West, Michael Porter Jr. might just be the piece that puts them back in the conversation.