NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on Tuesday (subscription required) that the Nets are "willing to listen to pitches on the bulk of their veteran players," and he specifically mentioned former Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. The 27-year-old arrived in Brooklyn as part of the Cam Johnson trade, and he's averaging a career-high 25.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game on 49/40/82 shooting splits.
Porter is making $38.3 million this season and will make $40.8 million next season, the last on the extension he signed with the Nuggets. Denver's motivation behind the offseason trade was to offload his contract. It cost a first-round pick, but the front office was able to make a few key signings because of it.
Now, the Nets could acquire more draft capital by trading MPJ, who has said he wants to stay in Brooklyn but is an attractive trade candidate for teams hoping to make a playoff run. Porter does have some experience in that department.
Nets open to trading Michael Porter Jr. before the Feb. 5 deadline
Brooklyn is 8-19, 13th in the East, four and a half games out of the final play-in tournament spot. The Nets have no intention of climbing up the standings. They're in rebuild mode, with five first-round draft picks in 2025, and as of now, they have the sixth-worst record in the league, meaning they have a 37.2% chance of a top-four pick and a 9% chance for the No. 1 pick.
If the Nets have it their way, they'll have a 14% chance for the No. 1 pick (the highest possible percentage) by the end of the regular season. Trading Porter, who is the team's leading scorer, would increase their odds of doing so. He may be enjoying his time in New York City, but he should prepare for the possibility of another trade between now and the 1 p.m. MT buzzer on Feb. 5.
Before you even suggest it, there is absolutely no chance that Porter will return to the Mile High City, at least not anytime soon. You might wish that he were still in Denver as you watch him thrive in Brooklyn, but Porter's situation with the Nets is far different than what it was with the Nuggets. He got the chance to prove himself as the top option, and it could result in him joining a contender (again).
Denver should be relatively quiet at the deadline. There won't be much entertainment, if any, coming from the Nuggets, but watching what happens with Porter will be plenty entertaining.