The Golden State Warriors aren’t the only team interested in a Michael Porter Jr. trade, as teams such as the Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls have joined them as reported suitors for the Brooklyn Nets star.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, at least four teams are preparing to make an all-out push to acquire the veteran sharpshooter ahead of the Feb. 5 treade deadline.
“It should come as no surprise that Milwaukee, league sources say, is evaluating Porter,” wrote Fischer. “Another team to monitor when it comes to Porter, league sources say, is Detroit.”
“…Sources say that Golden State, which helped inspire this whole notebook, has indeed had some internal discussions about whether to pursue Porter.”
Fischer further noted that the Bulls had “serious discussions” with the Denver Nuggets last season about a potential Michael Porter Jr. trade, but the talks fell through.
“Yet another team to consider: Chicago. The Bulls, sources say, were in serious discussions with the Nuggets last season about swapping Zach LaVine for Porter.”
Warriors Could Use MPJ
The Warriors, who shot 13-of-44 (30%) from three in Friday night’s 131-94 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, could definitely use Porter’s long-range marksmanship.
Steve Kerr’s team ranks 15th in 3P% (36.1) through the first 35 games of the season despite ranking No. 1 in three-point attempts with 43.9 per game. They also rank 27th in overall FG% (.453), ahead of three lottery-bound teams with losing records.
Porter and the Warriors seem like a match made in heaven. The seventh-year has the precise skill set that fits Golden State’s pace-and-space system, with his ability to come off pindowns to shoot threes and cut to the rim off misdirections. Furthermore, as a career/50/40/80 sniper, he’s one of the most efficient shooters in the league.
Potential Warriors Trade Package
The one hurdle for the Warriors to pull off a trade for MPJ is the Nets’ reported lack of interest in Jonathan Kuminga. Per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Nets had interest in Kuminga last offseason but are no longer enamored with the Congolese player.
“I mean, look, I Brooklyn. I don’t see just because I know some people maybe have mentioned Brooklyn, I don’t see that ultimately, from every from my sources and whatnot,” Scotto told Sactown Sports 1140, via NetsWire.
“What probably makes Kuminga seems less interesting as a trade candidate is due to the fact that he has been out of Golden State’s rotation.”
For Golden State get a deal done, they may have to offer two of their three first-round picks, along with Kuminga and filler contracts, to match MPJ’s salary. And even that may not get the job done, considering the high market value for Porter.
Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley previously built a Warriors trade package that would send Kuminga, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, a 2026 first-round pick (top-four protected) and a 2028 first-round pick swap to the Nets for MPJ.
“Porter’s shot-making could be a godsend for Golden State, which has struggled to find consistent scoring around Stephen Curry,” Buckley wrote last month, urging Golden State to make a run for the former NBA champion.
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