@hoopshype ranks Nets F Michael Porter Jr. as the 13th-best SF heading into the 2025-26 NBA season. On this list, Porter ranks behind Heat F Norman Powell and in front of Raptors F Brandon Ingram. Porter should have a more-involved role in Brooklyn.https://t.co/JxQTE7ufoU
— Sharif Phillips-Keaton (@SharifKeaton) August 19, 2025
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. is looking to expand on what he can do on the basketball court following the offseason trade that sent him from the Denver Nuggets to the Nets. Brooklyn traded forward Cam Johnson to the Nuggets in exchange for Porter and a 2032 first-round pick, but Porter could potentially improve on his standing amongst his position.
“27-year-old forward Michael Porter Jr. has a fun offensive game, as he is never shy to shoot tough shots from anywhere on the floor, while possessing excellent size at 6-foot-10 to knock down shots even over tight contests,” HoopsHype’s Frank Urbina wrote when explaining Porter being ranked as the 13th-best small forward heading into the 2025-26 NBA season. Porter is in position to potentially be the primary scoring option for the Nets.
“Now set to be arguably the top offensive option on a young Brooklyn Nets team, it’ll be fascinating to find out what type of numbers Porter Jr. can put up with even more of a green light to shoot it,” Urbina continued. “Considering he was at 18-plus points per game while sharing the floor with Jokic and Jamal Murray, don’t be surprised if Porter Jr. is at well over 20 points per game in 2025-26, as few players of his size have his shooting ability and confidence on offense.”
Porter, 27, is coming off a 2024-25 season in which he averaged 18.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 50.4% from the field and 39.5% from three-point land. With Porter presumably taking Johnson’s place in the starting lineup, the former Missouri Tiger is hoping to provide his usual offensive scoring punch while expanding on his game that he felt “plateaued” during his time in Denver.
In the seven seasons that Porter has been with the Nuggets, he has played behind center Nikola Jokic and guard Jamal Murray so it makes sense that he feels that he could bring more to the floor for a team. Under head coach Jordi Fernandez, Brooklyn will be looking for Porter to bring his scoring prowess to the hardwood while Fernandez allows Porter to see what else he can do within the established structure.