The Golden State Warriors were heavily linked to sharpshooting wing Michael Porter Jr. ahead of last season’s trade deadline, particularly after losing Jimmy Butler III to a season-ending ACL injury.
Ultimately, the Warriors reportedly did not go ahead with the move due to the Brooklyn Nets‘ high asking price of multiple first-round picks. A report from Kevin O’Connor has also suggested that Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was not very keen on adding MPJ.
One wonders if the Warriors have reconsidered their stance on acquiring the former Denver Nuggets champion. For starters, with Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody sidelined indefinitely, Golden State risks falling back into play-in territory. Additionally, Michael Porter Jr. is on an expiring 40.8M salary, making him an attractive, low-risk target who could serve as an impactful one-year rental.
Warriors Trade Idea for Michael Porter Jr.
Warriors would receive: Michael Porter Jr., Terance Mann
Nets would receive: Jimmy Butler, 2030 first-round pick via GSW (1-20 protected)
The hypothetical trade would also add Terance Mann, an underrated two-way guard who has had some big playoff moments in the past. Who could forget his 39-point performance for the LA Clippers in Game 6 of the West semifinals in 2021?
Furthermore, because the pick sent to Brooklyn is top-20 protected, Golden State risks virtually nothing as they transition into the post-Stephen Curry era.
Why the Warriors Do It
Stylistically, it’s hard to find a player in the league who would fit Golden State’s offensive scheme better than Michael Porter Jr. One of the league’s premier movement shooters, the 28-year-old can sprint off multiple pindowns to let it fly or hit off-balance jumpers in transition. He also has the ability to create his own shot, as he displayed in his first season with the Nets. MPJ averaged a career-high 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists while making 3.4 threes per game.
A starting unit of Curry, MPJ, Kristaps Porzingis, Draymond Green and Yaxel Lendeborg would have tons of shooting and size, making the Dubs a dangerous team.
The Warriors really have nothing to lose by giving MPJ a one-year trial run to see if he’d prove to be a good long-term fit. Ditto with Mann, who has only one year left on his budget-friendly deal and can be flipped for a future asset at a later date.
Why the Nets Do It
The Nets reportedly have ambitious plans to pursue star free agents in 2027 when the likes of Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kyrie Irving and Giannis Antetokounmpo could all become free agents. Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Nets are projected to have cap space to add two big fish while continuing to build around their rookie-scale contracts. MPJ likely doesn’t fit into that vision.
The former Nuggets star likely expects to be paid in excess of $40M per season with his new contract next season. By dumping MPJ and Mann’s salaries, Brooklyn will have a lot more flexibility to pursue stars next year.
It also helps that Jimmy Butler III will come off the books next summer.
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