The San Antonio Spurs are in an intriguing spot as the trade deadline approaches. With a young core that’s been punching above its weight-particularly in matchups against the Oklahoma City Thunder-there’s a growing sense that this team might be closer to contention than many expected. The front office has some flexibility to make a move, and with the West wide open, there’s a case to be made for pushing in some chips.
But not every trade target is worth the price of admission.
One name that’s surfaced in the rumor mill is Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. On the surface, it sounds like a fit.
Porter’s having one of the best seasons of his career, thriving in Brooklyn’s system and reminding folks why he was once considered a budding star. But a closer look at the situation reveals why this move might not just be a misstep-it could be a full-blown setback for what the Spurs are building.
Why Porter’s Production Doesn’t Translate to San Antonio
Porter’s scoring numbers this season are impressive, no doubt. He’s playing efficient basketball, finding his rhythm as a high-level off-ball scorer in Jordi Fernandez’s system. The Nets have tailored their offense to maximize his strengths-running him off screens, creating space for catch-and-shoot looks, and letting him operate without having to dominate the ball.
That kind of role worked in Brooklyn. But it’s important to remember: it’s not a plug-and-play situation.
In Denver, Porter was also mostly an off-ball player, and that experiment eventually ran its course. He found himself behind Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and others in the offensive pecking order, and that limited his impact. The Nuggets ultimately moved on, not because Porter lacked talent, but because the fit wasn’t sustainable.
San Antonio would be walking into a similar dynamic. The Spurs already have a crowded group of players who need touches to be effective-Victor Wembanyama is the centerpiece, and rightfully so.
Stephen Castle is evolving into a primary ball-handler. De’Aaron Fox brings shot creation and tempo.
Dylan Harper is another young piece who needs reps to develop.
Adding Porter to that mix could create more problems than solutions. He’s not a guy who’s going to grab the ball and create offense out of nothing.
He thrives when the offense is built around getting him open looks. The Spurs’ system isn’t designed that way, and shifting it to accommodate him would mean taking the ball out of the hands of players who are already central to the team’s growth.
The Contract Complication
Even if the basketball fit were cleaner, the financial side of this deal is hard to ignore.
Porter is making $38.3 million this season and is on the books for $40.8 million next year. That’s a hefty price tag for a player who isn’t a primary option and comes with a history of injuries.
In 2026-27, only $12 million of his deal is guaranteed-but that number could rise to $17 million if he makes the All-Star team. That’s not an unrealistic outcome given his current form, which only adds to the financial risk.
To make salaries match, the Spurs would likely have to part with at least two key rotation players-think Harrison Barnes, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, or Kelly Olynyk. That’s a steep cost, especially considering how well those players have contributed to the team’s chemistry and development.
Vassell and Johnson, in particular, have been vital to the Spurs’ identity. They bring two-way reliability, they know the system, and they’ve grown alongside Wembanyama.
Losing them for a player who might not even fit into the offense? That’s a gamble with more downside than upside.
The Bottom Line
There’s no question that San Antonio should be exploring ways to accelerate their timeline. Wembanyama is a generational talent, and when you have a player like that, the clock starts ticking faster. But that doesn’t mean the Spurs should rush into a move that doesn’t align with their long-term vision.
Michael Porter Jr. is a talented scorer, but the context matters. His success in Brooklyn doesn’t guarantee success in San Antonio. The fit isn’t seamless, the cost is significant, and the risk-both on the court and on the books-is too high for a team that’s already on a promising trajectory.
If the Spurs are going to make a move at the deadline, it needs to be the right move. One that complements Wembanyama, not complicates his development. One that adds to the team’s identity, not forces it to change course.
Porter might check a few boxes in theory, but in practice, this is a trade San Antonio should steer clear of.