One name that could be thrown around in gossip in the weeks leading up to the NBA trade deadline is Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. Brooklyn acquired Porter and a first-round pick in a deal with the Denver Nuggets in the offseason that sent forward Cameron Johnson to Denver.
One general manager thinks teams around the league are “engaging” on the No. 14 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. The general manager in question noted that “there are a lot more teams calling” because of how Porter has fared in his maiden season as a Net.
“I think they’ve gotten to a place where teams are engaging on him, teams have some interest, so there is still the hope that something can get done there,” the GM said, per Heavy Sports. “It is still a situation where it’s, you are hoping you have a team that is a little desperate enough to make a move like that, take a swing on a big contract.
“Because you still worry about the defense, you still worry about the health–he’s been healthy but it is still in the back of everyone’s minds. The way he’s been playing though, there are a lot more teams calling.”
As the anonymous general manager also noted, Porter is signed to quite the expensive deal, even if it’s set to expire somewhat soon. He is earning more than $38 million this season and nearly $41 million in the 2026-27 campaign before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027. Porter agreed to that contract back when he was playing for Denver earlier in the decade.
But considering the level he’s playing at this season, maybe he’s still worth taking a gamble on at that price tag. After all, he’s been one of the premier scorers in the league for the Nets, as he’s averaging a career-high 25.7 points per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 40.1 percent on 3s. Only 13 qualified players around the league have higher scoring averages than Porter thus far in the 2025-26 campaign.
If the Nets want to get rid of Porter this season, they will have to do it sooner rather than later, as the trade deadline is less than two months away on Feb. 5. It’s not as if they are on pace to accomplish anything of significance with him in the fold this season, as they have a record of 9-19. Thus, moving him and maximizing his trade value while it’s never been higher would make a lot from Brooklyn’s side of the coin.
Following the report from the unidentified general manager, Porter’s name is one fans should be looking for in any news between now and the deadline.