The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly “likely to gauge offers” for Michael Porter Jr., spelling good news for a Los Angeles Lakers franchise that has long been fascinated with the sharpshooting forward. Particularly, LeBron James has spoken glowingly about the former Denver Nuggets star, calling him “a big-time player” who would have been a multi-time All-Star already if not for his back surgeries.
According to ClutchPoints’ Erik Slater, Porter Jr. is “expected to draw interest” on the trade market ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline, with title contenders viewing him as the perfect plug-and-play piece due to his off-ball shooting and shotmaking.
The report added that the Nets (7-18), who remain laser-focused on winning the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, could stand to benefit by moving their best player.
“Whether the Nets choose to sell high or retain him as part of their next iteration will be among the NBA’s top storylines leading up to the trade deadline,” wrote Slater.
LeBron James, a Huge Fan of MPJ
After watching MPJ torch the Lakers in back-to-back playoff series in 2023 and 2024, LeBron James became a fan of the Missouri product.
“Michael Porter’s the one who kicked our a–. He kicked our a–,” James said on the “Mind the Game” podcast in 2024, while reflecting on the Nuggets vs. Lakers matchups.
“…Michael Porter Jr. is a f—– laser,” James added. “I don’t know if it’s just cause he sees the Lakers or the gold or whatever, but I feel like, versus us, that motherf—– don’t miss. He does not miss…You know how they say, ‘Close the gap, get to his chest.’ He doesn’t even see you. He doesn’t even see you.”
To James’ point, MPJ was on an absolute heater in those playoff series against the Lakers. In 2023, when the Nuggets swept the Lakers, he averaged 15.0 points on 41/42/100 shooting splits, while making 3.5 threes per game. A year later, tallied 22.8 points on 55/49/77 shooting splits, while making 4.0 threes per game.
Lakers Trade Pitch for MPJ
So, who could the Lakers trade in a potential deal for MPJ? A package of Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber and a first-round pick works, per the ESPN trade machine. Since all three Lakers players in the proposed deal are on expiring contracts, the Nets may be willing to bite. However, the question beckons: will they be seeking more than just one first-round pick for MPJ?
Porter Jr., who gained a reputation for being a poor defensive player in Denver, won’t solve the Lakers’ most pressing issue — JJ Redick’s team ranks 20th in the league in defense. However, he will shore up a Lakers offense that ranks 18th in 3P% (35.4) and 23rd in 3PM (11.8 per game).
The former NBA champion is averaging career-highs across the board in his first season with the Nets — points (25.6), rebounds (7.3), assists (3.2) and 3PM (3.7).
Nets assistant coach Steve Hetzel recently called MPJ “one of the best off-ball players” in the NBA, citing his ability to come off pindowns and knock down threes.
“He is one of the best, if not the best, off-ball players in this league,” Hetzel said. “The way he’s able to read how he’s being guarded, seal switches, slip to the rim, slip out and curl off of Nic from the top of the key. The degree of difficulty of shotmaking is elite.”
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