As the San Antonio Spurs continue to search for answers in a season that's seen more growing pains than growth, the trade deadline is shaping up to be a pivotal moment. With the losses mounting and the offense sputtering, the Spurs may need more than just patience-they might need a bold move. Enter Michael Porter Jr.
On a recent episode of the Dunc’d On podcast, NBA analyst Nate Duncan floated a trade idea that could shake things up in San Antonio in a big way: acquiring Porter Jr. from the Brooklyn Nets. It’s a proposal that’s sure to split the fanbase, but it’s also one that makes a lot of basketball sense.
Let’s start with the numbers. Porter Jr. is having the best season of his career, putting up nearly 25 points per game while knocking down 38.9% of his threes on a high volume-9.4 attempts per game.
That’s elite shooting from a 6-foot-10 forward, and it’s coming in a year where he was essentially salary-dumped to Brooklyn. Now, his value has skyrocketed, and there’s legitimate All-Star buzz around him.
The Nets, meanwhile, are reportedly open to moving him for the right package. According to Duncan, the Spurs could be that ideal trade partner.
The Case for Porter Jr. in San Antonio
San Antonio’s offense has hit a wall. The shooting has gone ice cold, spacing is inconsistent, and the team is missing that one player who can bend defenses with off-ball movement and perimeter gravity. Porter Jr. checks those boxes in a big way.
He’s not just a spot-up guy-he’s dynamic. He can sprint around screens, shoot off movement, and create his own shot when needed. Think of him as a supersized version of what Marco Belinelli brought during his first stint in San Antonio, but with more size, more scoring punch, and more long-term upside.
Now imagine him in a lineup alongside De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, and Victor Wembanyama. That’s three high-level shooters, two elite slashers, and a 7-foot-4 unicorn anchoring both ends. That’s not just a fun lineup-that’s a potentially devastating one.
What It Might Cost
The proposed trade package includes Jeremy Sochan, Kelly Olynyk, Harrison Barnes, and a top-4 protected pick swap with Atlanta. It’s a lot on paper, but when you break it down, it’s manageable.
Sochan, a former top-10 pick, has struggled to find his rhythm this season and has seen his role diminish. Olynyk and Barnes are on expiring deals, and the Spurs are unlikely to re-sign either. That makes them valuable as salary ballast and potential short-term contributors for Brooklyn.
The pick swap is the real asset here, but if the Spurs believe Porter Jr. can be a long-term piece next to Wembanyama, it’s a gamble worth considering.
Fit Over Flash
Porter Jr. isn’t your prototypical “Spursy” player. He’s had injury issues, and his off-court persona can be polarizing.
But on the hardwood, the fit is almost too perfect to ignore. He gives the Spurs something they desperately lack: a high-volume, high-efficiency shooter who can stretch the floor and score in bunches.
Defensively, he’s not a stopper, but he’s not a liability either. His length allows him to contest shots and switch across multiple positions. And when he’s flanked by elite rim protection-whether that’s Wembanyama or Luke Kornet-his weaknesses can be masked while his strengths are maximized.
A Swing Worth Taking?
This is the kind of swing that could define the next chapter of Spurs basketball. It’s not without risk-Porter Jr.’s health history and contract are real concerns-but the upside is tantalizing. A core of Wembanyama, Vassell, Castle, and Porter Jr. gives San Antonio a young, talented nucleus with elite shooting, length, and versatility.
If the cost is Sochan, two expiring veterans, and a pick swap, this might be the right time to roll the dice. The Spurs have been patient, and rightly so.
But sometimes, patience needs a push. Porter Jr. could be that push-a player who not only fills a need but potentially transforms the offense into something special.
For a team looking to turn the corner, this might be the kind of bold move that accelerates the process.