NBA Trade Deadline: 3 Teams That Should Push All Their Chips In for Michael Porter Jr.

Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. left the Denver Nuggets during the summer to become the No. 1 offensive option. However, despite finding his stride, where he’s averaging career highs in points, assists and rebounds, he has found himself once again in the trade rumor mill.

As the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline approaches, the sharpshooter is averaging 25.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Those numbers have reportedly convinced the Nets that they have an asset they can use to rebuild their roster and have begun listening to offers for the 14th pick of the 2018 NBA draft.

Below are three teams that should go all‑in to acquire Porter Jr. before the deadline.

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#1. Golden State Warriors

The Warriors need a high-volume shooter who can step up alongside and without Stephen Curry. A Monday mock trade by NBA insider Zach Buckley at Bleacher Report proposed a mock trade between the Warriors and Brooklyn Nets that would swap Porter Jr. for Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield and first‑round picks.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) brings the ball up court against Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. (17) - Source: Imagn

His arrival at the Bay Area will bring immediate impact in elite floor spacing, offensive versatility and might be the ‘X Factor’ needed to push them into a top‑4 seed and a deep playoff run.

Porter Jr. was traded to the Nets for Cam Johnson. He was moved mainly for financial flexibility as his large contract, roughly $38 million in 2025-26 and $40 million in 2026-27 per Spotrac, made it harder for the Nuggets to manage their cap under the new collective bargaining rules.

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#2. Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks (14-19) find themselves 11th in the East and with star player Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly considering his future. With Antetokounmpo the primary scoring option, Michael Porter Jr. coming in as the secondary option will help stretch opposition defenses and maybe keep Giannis happy.

Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. - Source: Imagn

According to recent trade projections, Milwaukee could leverage its cap space and role players to pursue Porter. Playing alongside Giannis and a pass‑first guard would let Porter thrive as a spot‑up threat and secondary playmaker.

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#3. Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons have elevated their game and have their young core of Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson and Jaden Ivey to thank. However, consistency and a lack of proven scorers has been their Achilles heel, thus bringing in Porter will make more sense.

Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. (17) and Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) - Source: Imagn

He will take the pressure off Cunningham and give opposition defenses what to think of when planning their closing game strategy. Porter can take over late‑clock possessions and create shots off isolation and adding a 25‑plus‑point scorer could vault Detroit into a serious contender from the East.

The Nets are reportedly willing to listen to offers. His stats this season make him one of the in-demand stars ahead of the deadline.

Edited by Ubong Richard