Michael Porter Jr. is either an expert at trolling people and making something out of nothing, or he's doing everything he can to reunite with Peyton Watson as a member of the Brooklyn Nets. Whichever it is, he must know the Nets have the firepower and cap space to absorb Watson via sign-and-trade, and he's doing heavy recruitment to bring the restricted free agent Watson to Brooklyn.
It's no secret that Porter and Watson are friends, so it's natural that the two former teammates are hanging out during the offseason. But the former Denver Nuggets forward, Porter, has a big, sinister (for Nuggets fans) ulterior motive to his friendliness this summer.
Just days ago, Porter was caught on video saying, "He (Watson) boutta sign for $130 million. I'm tryna get him in Brooklyn, though," as the two were hanging out at Fanatics Fest.
Now, new images have arrived of MPJ giving Watson a tour of the practice facilities and weight room in Brooklyn, showcasing a practice facility that the Nuggets just can't offer any free agent.
But what about the Nets as a sign-and-trade partner to make this happen? The Nets are actually an ideal fit.
The Nets have the firepower and fit for Watson
The Nets certainly have the draft capital the Nuggets want in return. The Nuggets want a package on the same level that the Utah Jazz received for Walker Kessler when he was signed and traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers sent two future first-round picks plus two first-round pick swaps to the Jazz.
The Nets are loaded with future draft picks, so that's all square. The Nets are also under the salary cap, and they are well under the luxury tax threshold. The only sticking point is a salary match that would need to involve a third team to complete the trade, but that's always possible in the NBA.
Watson also fits the young rebuild that the Nets are undergoing with MPJ as the star. It would make sense for the Nets to bring in Watson as a co-star wing if they could see him as the sidekick to Porter.
The Nuggets may be planning for a Watson exit
With the Nuggets pressed up against the NBA's second apron penalty threshold, and all of the sky-high taxes attached to violating it, cutting one core member from the roster last year makes financial sense. The thought process was that it would be Cameron Johnson who would be traded, and that Watson would be back in Denver for the foreseeable future.
But the Nuggets have not been listening to offers for Cam this summer, and indications are pointing to retaining him for the upcoming season. Enter the Watson sign-and-trade to restock the cupboard with first-round picks for the future instead of just dumping salary by trading Johnson.
That seems like the smarter "now" play for the Nuggets, while also trying to get younger in the future. MPJ is certainly doing his best to try to make that happen. Or he's just trolling everyone for fun.
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