The Golden State Warriors are expected to trade Jonathan Kuminga once the Congolese forward becomes trade-eligible on January 15. If there’s one midseason addition that could help them instantly, it’s Brooklyn Nets sharpshooter Michael Porter Jr., who is averaging career highs across the board.
With the Nets (3-14) on the fast track to the NBA Draft Lottery, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley has urged the Warriors to build a package around Kuminga for MPJ.
Warriors would get: Michael Porter Jr.
Nets would get: Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, a 2026 first-round pick (top-four protected) and a 2028 first-round pick swap
Too Much for MPJ?
On paper, the proposed Warriors trade seems like a high asking price for MPJ, who developed a notorious reputation as a poor defender in Denver. However, the Missouri alum has the exact skill set that fits the Warriors’ pace-and-space system, with his ability to come off pindowns and cut to the rim off misdirections.
As such, the Warriors may be willing to offer a lot for MPJ, feels Buckley.
“The Warriors could use someone who makes quicker decisions with the basketball and helps better space the floor,” he wrote. “Someone like Porter, who was an ultra-efficient play-finisher alongside Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray in Denver and has remained nearly as efficient despite handling a much more featured role in Brooklyn.”
Warriors Need Shooting
The Warriors rank first in the league in made threes with 16.3 per game, but are 12th in efficiency, converting 36.9% of their attempts.
Besides Stephen Curry, Moses Moody has been the Warriors’ only other consistent long-range shooter this season, making 2.7 threes at 40.7%. However, Moody’s overall offensive production leaves much to be desired, with the fifth-year wing going through stretches in games without making an impact. As such, a proven sniper and NBA champion like Porter Jr. would serve as a significant upgrade.
“Porter’s shot-making could be a godsend for Golden State, which has struggled to find consistent scoring around Stephen Curry,” added Buckley. “And while Porter is arguably overpaid ($38.3 million this season), the Warriors might be willing to stomach that blow since his contract will expire at the same time when Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green all exhaust their current deals (2027).”
As for the Nets, they can continue their rebuild with players such as Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Egor Demin and Noah Clowney, while also vying for a top-five pick in a loaded 2026 NBA Draft class.
Michael Porter Jr. is averaging a career-high 24.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.1 made threes in his first season as a primary scoring option in Brooklyn. The sharpshooting wing could earn his first All-Star nod if he can sustain his production.
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