There are just over two weeks to go before the NBA’s Feb. 5 trade deadline, and so far, things have been relatively quiet across the league. There have been rumors about a couple of players the Los Angeles Lakers would like to acquire, such as Herbert Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans, but there is no indication that they’re close to landing anyone.
There is always a chance that the Lakers will go after someone who no one currently considers a realistic option for them right now. According to a post on Hardwood Paroxysm’s Substack, they could try to make a play for Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets. They have previously had interest in Nets center Nic Claxton.
“Have heard about a lot of talks between the Lakers and Nets the past two years and they did the DFS (Dorian Finney-Smith) trade already so there’s a relationship. Claxton would be a very good get, but there’s also the possibility of their going in for MPJ.”
Lakers fans remember Porter as one man who gave their favorite team fits as a member of the Denver Nuggets over the last few years. The Nuggets sent him to Brooklyn during the offseason for Cameron Johnson, and he’s currently averaging 25.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists a game while shooting 48.5% from the field and 39.8% from 3-point range.
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Porter, however, would be expensive. He will make a total of $38.3 million this season, so perhaps he’s an unrealistic and out-of-reach option for the Purple and Gold, at least for now.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Report: Lakers could try to trade for Michael Porter Jr.