The relative success of the trade the Nets pulled off for scoring forward Michael Porter Jr. last summer, when they dealt away Cam Johnson and took back a 2032 first-rounder from Denver, was always going to hinge not so much on the pick from the Nuggets, but on the ability of the Nets to get additional draft capital for Porter. But at the start of the year, he was a quiet name in recent NBA trade rumors.
Nets GM Sean Marks was roundly criticized for sending away Johnson for a pick that will need seven years to incubate, while also taking on Porter’s contract. But Marks was always banking on the notion that Porter could thrive when pulled away from the set-up in Denver. There, he was always a third/fourth option trying to find his place. In Brooklyn, he could shine as a leading man, and the remaining two years and $79 million ($41 million next year) would look less daunting to a potential trade partner.
And it’s worked out that way, so far, for Marks. Porter has been a great scorer on a bad team, averaging 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists, shooting 49.1% from the field and 40.1% from the 3-point line. He is, at least, close to being worth what his contract is paying him.
Teams ‘Engaging’ on Michael Porter Jr.
That has rekindled hopes in Brooklyn that the Nets could move Porter on for another draft asset. The preference would be to do so in the next six weeks, ahead of the NBA trade deadline. There are headwinds, though, starting with the contract. Those headwinds, too, include red flags attached to Porter when he came out in the draft, which caused him to drop from a Top 3 pick down to No. 14 in 2018.
“I think they’ve gotten to a place where teams are engaging on him, teams have some interest, so there is still the hope that something can get done there,” one GM said. “It is still a situation where it’s, you are hoping you have a team that is a little desperate enough to make a move like that, take a swing on a big contract.
“Because you still worry about the defense, you still worry about the health–he’s been healthy but it is still in the back of everyone’s minds. The way he’s been playing though, there are a lot more teams calling.”
Warriors in a Small Pool of Michael Porter Jr. NBA Trade Rumors
Who’s calling? Fair question. Considering there was pretty much nobody calling on Porter when the Nets explored the market earlier, even a handful of teams represents a very good sign.
The Warriors are the most prominent team that has weighed the possibility of a Porter deal, but with Jonathan Kuminga as the main returning piece–the Nets have never been that enamored with Kuminga–it’d be a tough deal to get over the finish line. A three-team arrangement in which Kuminga lands elsewhere makes some sense, as long as the Nets land a first-rounder from the deal.
Porter is a risk, but the Warriors are desperate.
Forbes’ Evan Sidery reported that the Bucks would be interested in Porter, and that would work only if the Nets would be willing to take back a 2031 first-rounder as part of the deal. Beyond the Bucks and Warriors, though, the market is limited.
The Lakers? The Heat? The Pistons? The Cavaliers? There is a case to be made, but there hasn’t been much interest expressed to the Nets, at least not yet. That can change quickly, of course.
Still, a few interested teams at this point is an upgrade. And, the GM says, “It only takes one. We’ve had 10 teams calling for a player that we did not trade in the end. Having a lot of teams asking about a guy doesn’t always make it easier.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post NBA Trade Rumors: Michael Porter Jr. Getting Buzz (Finally) appeared first on Heavy Sports.