The Brooklyn Nets seem to be thinking about what they want to do with Michael Porter Jr. after landing him as part of the Cam Johnson trade.
There were a lot of big moves when the first day of NBA free agency came in and out. But one team stood out for the moves they made, and that team was a Denver nugget.
First, they have put Bruce Brown, a key part of the 2023 NBA Championship team back to the lowest contract.
They then surprisingly exchanged Michael Porter Jr. for the Brooklyn Net to land Cam Johnson, giving up the coveted first-round pick of 2032 in the process.
The Nuggets look forward to competing again, so Porter Jr. has to learn how to become a key veteran on a bad team.
However, it appears that the internet has agreed to this transaction. Because they see him as much value and plan to use him that way.
When news of the trade between the Brooklyn Nets and the Denver Nuggets broke, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne provided a small but interesting little story about the Nets’ stance.
Rather than swapping Porter Jr., the net wants to protect him. The front office appears to be a huge fan of the former NBA champion.
“The net is excited about MPJ and the intention is to keep him.”
It makes sense why Net wants to keep Porter Junior right now. First of all, he’s not that high now, and they’re not going to get a great package for him.
Plus, his $38 million salary allows Porter Jr. to meet the payroll requirements floor.
And finally, Porter Jr. is a great shooter. Given that the Net has drafted three powerful passing guards, Porter Junior can become a reliable outlet for them, while also showing the tools they need to improve.
If Brooklynnet wants to complete a rebuild sooner than fans expect, Michael Porter Jr. can really help make it happen.
As mentioned earlier, Porter Jr. will earn $38 million this season and then $40 million. If the net is in a position to exchange for stars, his pay is useful when trying to make numbers work.
In the meantime, the Net will be working with manager Jordi Fernandez to maximize Porter Jr.’s value. Using him as a locker room presence and using a leader may be the way to go.
The net has one of the youngest rosters in the NBA today, requiring veteran leadership to set the culture of the franchise.