3 teams Michael Porter Jr. trade proposal that brings the Nets to a star with the Warriors

There is a feeling in the NBA that a The trade of Brooklyn’s Michael Porter Jr. is a simple inevitabilitywith the Nets trading high for the 27-year-old’s career-best campaign in his first season as the No. 1 option. And the Golden State Warriors loom as the most likely trade destination for the prolific three-point shooter — with the Nets’ decision to rest Porter during their Sunday night matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies further fanning the flames of trade rumors.

Porter fits the Warriors’ roster perfectly as a big shooter without much of a conscience, and he’s expanded his game to both ends of the floor lately. He is still as fearless as a sniper as ever, but has shown a greater sense of passing the ball and has improved defensively. It will also help cover the Dubs’ shortcomings on the glass.

The The warriors weren’t exactly shy on making your position on trading Jonathan Cumminga known, and on paper the trade structure between them and the Nets should be pretty clear. Unfortunately, the Nets didn’t have much interest in Cummings anyway, which could necessitate the involvement of a third team.

Fortunately for both teams, the franchise remains head to head for Cummings in the Sacramento Kings. That still appears to be Kuminga’s most likely destination, as a franchise currently in shambles has an opening for a primary scoring option that he could theoretically fill.

To that end, here’s a viable three-team trade proposal that satisfies the demands of the Warriors, Nets and Kings.

Blockbuster 3-team trade involving Warriors, Nets and Kings sees Michael Porter Jr. heading to Bay

Warriors get: Michael Porter Jr.

Nets get: Zach LaVineDevin Carter, Buddy Hield, 2026 GSV first round pick, 2028 GSV first round pick, 2026 and 2027 CHA second round pick (via SAC)

Kings take over: Jonathan Cumminga, Terence Mann, Moses Moody

Why are the Warriors doing this?

As mentioned above, Porter is such a perfect fit for the Warriors’ offensive ecosystem that it might be worth spending two first-round picks to bring him. He’s had some defensive issues in the past, but at 6’10”, he can make up for it simply by being big. And his experience in the Denver Nuggets’ movement-based offensive system led by Nikola Jokic should allow him to thrive under head coach Steve Kerr.

The price, however, will be high. Porter is in high demand right now, and the Warriors are buying high. With the Dubs likely to at least make the Western Conference playoffs, their unprotected first-round picks should be in the low 20s.

While they could land key contributors from that type of spot, the guaranteed production Porter brings should outweigh any upside the young prospect could bring — especially with the Warriors looking to give Stephen Curry one last shot at a title.

The Warriors also need someone to take over the scoring besides Curry; at this point in his career, Jimmy Butler excels at being a high-level glue instead of being an offensive focal point. With Porter around, everyone on the roster would be that much fresher, which should pay dividends come playoff time.

The loss of Kuminga has long been inevitable for the Warriors. At least they are bringing in a high scorer who is currently putting up nearly 26 points a night on 62.4 percent true shooting for their prized youngster they have held onto for so long. For all the star players the Dubs could hypothetically acquire for Cummings over the years, Porter isn’t all that bad.

The departure of Moses Moody could be the biggest pain point for the Warriors. Moody has the prototypical 3-and-D low-use wing skill. He is the kind of player any winning team would want. But any emergency trade comes at a huge price. The Dubs already have the likes of Brandin Podziemski, De’Anthony Melton, Will Richard, and even Gary Payton II to fill the minutes at the two and three.

Networks become Zak Lavin’s melioration center

The Nets have so much space that they can afford to become a center for land reclamation projects. Zach LaVine may be the All-Star-caliber player whose reputation needs the most rehab, and he may be able to find forgiveness in Brooklyn.

LaVine was, by many measures, one of the worst defenders in the league, and he got lost in the crowd in Sacramento. He described the struggles of the Kings with such an apt analogy; despite possessing the skills of a lead guitarist, he was asked to play drums, and the results were ugly.

The Kings may want to simply leave LaVine’s salary as his trade value in the league is not very favorable for them as he set to make over $48 million for the 2026-27 season on the player option (which he will most likely pick up).

The The Nets could then take a chance on LaVine and return it to high-level production. And maybe this offseason, the Nets could sell high on LaVine, getting more assets in return.

Brooklyn should be thrilled to get two first-round picks from the Warriors and two second-round picks from the Hornets (from the Kings courtesy of the LaVine dump) for Porter on top of LaVine and the other pieces they’ll get.

Buddy Hield, at this point, is salary cap fodder with two years left on his contract after the current campaign. Devin Carter is also a rehab project for the Nets, with the former lottery pick struggling to get any kind of consistent burn in Sacramento.

The Kings finally get their man in Jonathan Kuminga

The The kings were Kuminga’s most prominent suitors from the beginning. They were in pursuit of the Warriors when he hit restricted free agency last summer, though they were unable to reach an agreement with the Dubs on a potential sign-and-trade as Golden State rejected a package centered around Malik Monk, Carter and other pieces from Sacramento.

But the Kings have to know that package makes even less sense for the Warriors right now, especially with Porter looming as the Dubs’ top trade target. What’s more, the trade value of players on the Kings’ roster only worsened during the offseason amid their terrible 2025-26 campaign, especially with Monk and Carter in head coach Doug Christie’s cabin for much of the campaign.

In this trade scenario, the Kings at the very least get rid of LaVine’s contract, as well as two second-round picks that should reach the 30s, and gain three rotation players (at worst) in the process.

Kuminga could thrive as Sacramento’s primary scoring option, and his life should only get easier once Domantas Sabonis returns. Moody solidifies the Kings on the wings, something they have sorely needed throughout the 2025-26 campaign. Terrance Mann is an experienced arm in the rotation, a 3-and-D wing that helps balance Sacramento’s guard and a heavily loaded roster.

Basically, the Kings got these three players in exchange for De’Aaron Fox, the man they sent to get LaVine. It doesn’t end up looking like a good return for their former franchise talent. But LaVine’s value has dropped pretty drastically so this can’t be considered anything other than a huge win for them — especially when they get the player they’ve been coveting for so long in Kuminga.

Once the Kings release even more players who no longer make sense on the team, such as Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan, they can at least begin to chart a path that makes more sense for them to build a roster moving forward.