{"id":525926,"date":"2026-01-08T23:05:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T23:05:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/525926\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T23:05:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T23:05:15","slug":"nets-may-have-set-trade-price-for-38-3-million-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/525926\/","title":{"rendered":"Nets May Have Set Trade Price For $38.3 Million Star"},"content":{"rendered":"

If any team has proven themselves willing to wheel and deal ahead of the trade deadline, it\u2019s the Brooklyn Nets. Over the past five years, they\u2019ve traded away future Hall of Fame talents Kevin Durant<\/a>, James Harden<\/a>, and Kyrie Irving<\/a>. They\u2019ve traded for Ben Simmons<\/a> and D\u2019Angelo Russell<\/a>, fallen All-Stars.<\/p>\n

Perhaps most importantly, they\u2019ve signified that they\u2019d rather go through a rebuild than be a middling team. Last February, this prompted them to trade a surging Dennis Schroder<\/a> to the Golden State Warriors. This season, it could lead to them moving Michael Porter Jr.<\/a>, who\u2019s been putting up All-NBA numbers.<\/p>\n

Porter\u2019s playing so well that there\u2019s speculation the Nets could ask for \u201ctwo first-round picks plus other assets\u201d if they were to trade him, per NBC Sports Bay Area reporter Dalton Johnson (h\/t Fullcourtpass on X).<\/p>\n

Michael Porter Jr could cost two first-round picks plus other assets, per @DaltonJ_Johnson<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cOne source speculated that Michael Porter Jr could be two-first round picks, plus Jonathan Kuminga, plus others to match that salary.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Via @NBCSWarriors<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/sFi58m13fi<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) January 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

In a hypothetical trade with the Golden State Warriors, it\u2019s suggested that the price for Porter would be two first-rounders, along with promising forward Jonathan Kuminga<\/a> and others.<\/p>\n

This may be shocking considering that Porter was the third option for the Denver Nuggets for the bulk of his career. Truthfully though, it\u2019s not really far-fetched. As previously mentioned, the 6-foot-10 flamethrower has been, well\u2026 on fire. 28 games into the season, he\u2019s averaging 26.1 points, 7.5 points and 3.3 assists per game. Despite having more on his plate than ever, he\u2019s eating efficiently with .495-.411-.828 shooting splits.<\/p>\n

His skillset is a perfect fit for the Warriors offense given Steve Kerr\u2019s emphasis on the 3-ball and spacing. Keep in mind, Kerr\u2019s concern with the on-court geometry<\/a> when Kuminga\u2019s on the floor is considered to be the primary impetus in his inability to spread his wings in The Bay. Their contrasting styles and situations leads to a value imbalance that greatly favors Porter.<\/p>\n

This is particularly true given Golden State\u2019s preference to keep veterans Draymond Green<\/a> and Jimmy Butler III<\/a>, their defensive tone-setters. To that point, both Green and Butler shoot under 34 percent from 3 for their careers. As a result, Porter not only helps balance the floor but complements their core.<\/p>\n

At the same time, he\u2019s only 27 years old, which may allow the Warriors to extend their championship window. However, his contract \u2013which is guaranteed for $38.3 million in 2025-26 \u2013ends after the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n

Michael Porter Jr. Jumpstarts The Warriors Offense<\/p>\n

Picture a starting lineup with Porter at small forward, Butler at shooting guard, Green at power forward, and Stephen Curry<\/a> at point guard. No matter who they start at center, they should have enough firepower to compete with opposing first units. That\u2019s a far cry from where they\u2019re at now, as the Warriors starters only average 72.8 points per game, tied for 24th in the NBA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Essentially, Golden State would be replacing Moses Moody<\/a> (25 starts) with Porter. No, trades aren\u2019t simple math. Nevertheless, with Porter averaging +15.6 points more than Moody (10.5 points per game) this season, that\u2019s quite the upgrade. For posterity\u2019s sake, neither Will Richard<\/a> (7.7 points per game) nor Gui Santos<\/a> (3.6 points per game) come close to Porter\u2019s production either.<\/p>\n

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