Michael Porter Jr. is putting up eye-popping numbers in his first season with the Brooklyn Nets - over 25 points per game, nearly 40% from deep on high volume, and a frame that stretches 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot wingspan. On paper, he checks every box for what the Milwaukee Bucks are missing at the wing.
A floor-spacing scorer who can rebound and at least hold his own defensively? That’s the dream.
But for Milwaukee, this dream comes with a serious price tag - and a fair amount of risk.
Let’s start with the obvious: Porter is thriving as the No. 1 option on a team that isn’t exactly chasing wins. His usage has skyrocketed in Brooklyn, especially with Cam Thomas sidelined since early November.
He’s getting five more shots per game than he did last season in Denver, and his free throw attempts have nearly doubled. The volume is up, but so is the efficiency - which is what makes this so intriguing.
Despite the heavier workload, Porter’s shooting percentages have held steady, and his rebounding has remained consistent with what he produced in a more limited role with the Nuggets.
That’s the kind of leap that raises eyebrows across the league. But it also raises the question: How much of this is real, and how much is inflated by circumstance?
Denver has already lived this reality. They shipped out Porter and a future first-round pick to Brooklyn in exchange for Cam Johnson this past offseason.
Johnson, who looked like a rising star with the Nets, has seen his numbers take a hit in Denver - down from 18.8 points per game to just 11.7, despite playing similar minutes. He’s been a steady contributor, but the drop-off is noticeable.
And that first-rounder Denver gave up? It’s one of the more valuable chips in the league, a 2032 pick that could swing big depending on how the Nuggets age.
That deal is a cautionary tale. Yes, Johnson fits Denver’s system.
But the price? Steep.
And that’s the same position Milwaukee could find itself in if it goes all-in on Porter.
The fit, in theory, is tantalizing. Porter would immediately become the Bucks’ most dynamic scorer on the wing.
He’s a high-volume, quick-trigger shooter who’s knocking down nearly 40% from three on over nine attempts per game. That kind of spacing would give Milwaukee’s offense a much-needed jolt, especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo still sidelined.
Porter’s rebounding - 7.3 boards per game - would also be a welcome addition, especially when you compare it to Kyle Kuzma’s 4.6, who’s currently the closest thing Milwaukee has to a true small forward. And while Porter isn’t locking anyone down, his length gives him the tools to at least contest shots and disrupt passing lanes.
But here’s where things get tricky. The Nets aren’t just going to hand him over.
Any deal would likely start with Kuzma and Bobby Portis - two solid rotation players - and then pivot quickly into the draft capital conversation. Brooklyn would almost certainly demand a future first-rounder, probably unprotected, in 2031 or 2032.
For Milwaukee, those picks could very well land in the lottery.
And that’s the real dilemma. The Bucks aren’t one piece away from a title.
They’re not in the same spot Denver was when they made their move. They’re not the Knicks, who could justify overpaying for Mikal Bridges two offseasons ago in the hopes of unlocking another level.
Milwaukee is still trying to stabilize, not finalize.
General manager Jon Horst has never been afraid to swing big. But this isn’t the time to empty the vault.
The Bucks have to be smart with their future, especially if the present isn’t screaming “championship window.” Giving up a premium pick for a player who may not move the needle enough to avoid the Play-In Tournament?
That’s a gamble with long-term consequences.
Now, to be fair, Porter’s production might not nosedive in Milwaukee the way Johnson’s did in Denver. The Bucks need scoring, and they’d lean on him heavily until Giannis is back.
That kind of featured role wasn’t available to him in Denver, and it likely wouldn’t be on a top-tier contender. So yes, Porter could help keep Milwaukee afloat in the short term.
But is that worth a potential lottery pick and two key contributors?
Porter is under contract through 2026-27, with a hefty $40 million due in that final year. That’s a lot of money for a player who, while talented, hasn’t proven he can consistently deliver in the postseason. Denver fans know that story well.
In the end, the Bucks have to resist the temptation. Porter’s breakout in Brooklyn is real - but it’s also context-dependent.
And the Nets, who have a history of maximizing trade value on inflated stats, know exactly what they’re doing. Milwaukee can’t afford to be the next team that pays the premium price for a player who looks like a star on a struggling team, only to find out he’s more role player than savior when the lights are brightest.
The Bucks need help. But they can’t mortgage their future to chase a short-term fix.
Not now. Not like this.