We’re now two months into the NBA season, and the Brooklyn Nets are in the exact position that everyone expected: sitting with just eight wins through 27 games, a record that puts them near the basement of the Eastern Conference.
For anyone who’s checked in on the Nets even once since the KD, Kyrie, and Harden era came to a close, this isn’t a shock in any capacity.
They’ve remained among the league’s bottom dwellers for the last three years, and they’re just waiting until a young player comes around to carry this team into a new era.
Brooklyn isn’t going to be doing much this season other than playing for pride, but with the NBA trade deadline now just weeks away, there’s another opportunity to turn established players into additional draft capital.
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Michael Porter Jr. Sent to the Chicago Bulls: NBA Trade Pitch
While the Nets are floundering, the Chicago Bulls are doing their best to emerge from the purgatory that is yearly trips to the NBA Play-In Tournament.
This first stretch of the season has delivered mixed results, but the Bulls are coming off a game in which they set a franchise record with 83 first-half points on their way to a win over the Atlanta Hawks, extending their winning streak to three games.
A 13-15 record has set the stage for a deadline approach that could go in either direction, depending on their performance over the next few weeks.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report believes the Bulls will be buyers, predicting that Chicago will send Patrick Williams, Zach Collins, and a 2026 first-rounder to Brooklyn for Michael Porter Jr.
“The Bulls feel perpetually short-sighted enough to pay something of a premium for Porter, and the Nets should jump on this kind of offer, since there’s a decent chance that pick falls somewhere near the mid-point of the lottery in a loaded draft,” wrote Buckley.
Should The Bulls Trade For Michael Porter Jr.?
As Buckley notes, as of late, the Bulls’ front office has put on a clinic in the mismanagement of their assets, whether it be buying or selling at the wrong time or simply valuing assets poorly.
Even with their recent track record, it’s hard to see them making this deal, and it’s obviously one that they shouldn’t make.
Porter adds value to any team. His size and shooting ability make him a real weapon, but it’s hard to see him being a worthwhile addition in Chicago.
While Chicago could use a knock-down shooter like Porter, solidifying the frontcourt should be the top priority, and Porter is not an addition that would dramatically impact this team’s outlook.
Couple that with the $40.8 million he’s owed next year, which would significantly limit Chicago’s financial flexibility ahead of an offseason where they can make truly meaningful additions, and it’s hard to justify this deal.
Losing what could very well be a mid-tier lottery pick is significant as well.
Ultimately, while Porter’s skill set can be valuable to a team, he’s a trade target better suited for a team that’s on the precipice of a deep playoff run and could be pushed over the edge by bringing in a player who can improve spacing and function as a threat from behind the arc.
The Bulls are not that team, and they should not be seriously considering a deal like this.
Michael Porter Jr. Stats
Porter has made the most of his opportunity to take on a larger role in Brooklyn, and his stats reflect that.
2025-26 Stats:
23 GP
32.8 MPG
25.6 PPG
7.4 RPG
3.3 APG
49.3 FG%
40.0 3P%