Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. was swirling in trade rumors last season, with teams trying to bolster their rosters for a playoff push. But guess what? Turns out one of the biggest rumored suitors, the Golden State Warriors, wasn’t even interested in MPJ. Wild, right?
The Kerr Snub Nobody Saw Coming
Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin O’Connor dropped a bombshell, reporting that Warriors coach Steve Kerr flat-out “didn’t want MPJ in February,” and there’s “little reason to believe he would want him now.” This wasn’t some quiet whisper, either. O’Connor’s entire article was even focused on the NBA holding its breath for LeBron James’ free-agent decision, with the Warriors potentially in the mix. So, for this nugget about Porter to stand out, you know it’s real. The Warriors were supposedly interested, but reports from NBC Sports’ Dalton Johnson confirmed they also weren’t looking to give up a ton to make another playoff run.
Best Season, Still No Go For Golden State
Here’s the kicker: Porter, at 28 years old, just had the *best season of his career*. He was putting up 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, shooting a solid 46.3% from the field and 36.3% from behind the three-point line. Those are serious numbers for someone who was rumored to be a playoff bolster! Yet, the Nets wanted two first-round picks for him, and the Warriors were apparently too busy eyeing other players, like New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III. It’s a classic case of what a team says they want versus what they’re actually willing to pay.
Even with this reporting, Porter is still under contract for next season and remains a core piece for the Nets. General manager Sean Marks and MPJ himself look set on keeping this partnership rolling in Brooklyn for the future. But after O’Connor’s report, if Porter does ever get moved, it’s pretty clear the Warriors have taken themselves right out of the running as a landing spot. What a curveball early in the off-season conversations!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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