Michael Porter Jr. hasn’t been on the court for the Brooklyn Nets lately.
Over the past two games, Porter was ruled out due to personal reasons. The Nets paid visits to Utah and Detroit without him.
This week becomes critical for Porter, as he’s one of the most notable names in the NBA trade market. Being a productive player with championship experience in a rebuilding situation, Porter is viewed as an ideal candidate to find a new home.
Porter doesn’t know what to truly expect ahead of the deadline. He addressed his thoughts on Tuesday and seems content with remaining in his situation with the Brooklyn Nets to conclude the 2025-2026 NBA season.
“I do see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I do see the path we’re trying to take,” Porter told reporters, according to the New York Post’s Brian Lewis. “So I’ve stated that I enjoy my time here, and two more days, if I make it through two or three more days, I’ll be here. So we’ll see what happens.”
The trade rumors have simmered down for Porter lately, but that doesn’t mean he’s in the clear. NBA players know well that once the deadline is creeping up officially, the moves begin to ramp up, with some stunners going down. If Porter gets moved before Thursday’s buzzer, it won’t shock the league. But if he stays with the struggling Nets, he seems open to a future with the franchise, despite a season full of shortcomings.
The Nets are ranked 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 13-35 record. They have just two wins over their past 10 games. As the season continues, it’s becoming apparent that the Play-In is out of reach. The Nets have the same record as the Washington Wizards and are just one game in front of the Indiana Pacers. They are in good standing from a drafting standpoint.
On a personal note, Porter is having the best year of his career. Shooting 48 percent from the field and 39 percent from three, the veteran forward is producing 25.6 points per game. He is also coming down with 7.3 rebounds per game, while dishing out 3.2 assists per game.
Having spent six seasons with the competitive Denver Nuggets, seeing the playoffs five times, Porter has more than enough postseason experience to attract a win-ready organization. If the Nets believe they can quickly turn things around, then maybe keeping the 27-year-old for the final season of his contract next year is an option that could make sense for Brooklyn.
The NBA world is waiting for clarity for Porter. Soon, they’ll get it. The deadline takes place on Thursday at 3 PM ET.
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