Michael Porter Jr. says Brooklyn’s ‘beast’ on the bench should be an NBA starter

Brooklyn Nets center Dai’Ron Sharpe made a strong case for an expanded role during his first extended opportunity of the season. With Nic Clacton has not played in the last two games for personal reasons, Sharp showed his potential in a starting role.

The five-year center averaged 15.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks on 57.1 percent shooting in a pair of starts. Michael Porter Jr. gave a definite position about Sharp after Sunday’s win over the Denver Nuggets.

“Dai’Dai is a beast. He’s a starting five in the NBA,” Porter Jr. said. “But we have two starting fives: Klax and him. So it’s good that when Klax comes out, you can put Day in there and there’s no turnover. Both can pass, both can finish around the rim, both rebound, both defend. Dai’Dai plays very, very hard, and we needed everything he gave tonight. He’s able to play great. team with two big men as good as him and Klax.”

Michael Porter Jr. says Dai’Ron Sharpe is the starting center in the NBA:

“Day Day is a beast. He’s a starting five in the NBA. But we have two starting fives, Clax and him.” pic.twitter.com/M9eBVfAr3E

— Eric Slater (@erikslater_) January 5, 2026

Sharpe is coming off a career-best seasonafter which he signed a two-year, $12 million contract with a team option. Despite that, the 24-year-old’s minutes have declined this season while playing as a backup Nick Claxton, who is also enjoying one of his best starts his career.

The emergence of Dai’Ron Sharpe raises questions about the Nets’ center plans

Sharp continued to create when called upon, averaging 7.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists on a career-high 60.5 percent shooting in 17.3 minutes per game. He maintains a positive attitude and tries to make the most of his limited role.

“I feel like whenever I get a chance, I produce. Whether I play 13 or 30 or 48 minutes, I’m just grateful for the opportunity,” Sharpe said when asked by ClutchPoints about his minutes. “A lot of people in the world want this opportunity to play in the NBA. A lot of guys in the NBA are still waiting for their chance to play. I was one of those guys, the first two or three years, trying to get a chance to break into some minutes. So I’m just taking the opportunity to be grateful for the minutes that I get, whether they’re low or high.”

Dai’Ron Sharpe asked about playing limited minutes earlier this season despite having a career-best year:

“Whenever I get a chance, I produce. Whether I play 13 or 30 or 48 minutes, just be grateful for the opportunity. A lot of people in the world… pic.twitter.com/SP3Kozrzsa

— Eric Slater (@erikslater_) January 5, 2026

Sharp has shown a well-rounded skill set with Brooklyn’s second unit over the past two seasons. He remained one of the NBA’s best rebounders while improving dramatically as a defender. The Nets are allowing 4.8 fewer points per 100 possessions during Sharpe’s minutes this season, the highest mark on the team among players who have played over 500 minutes, per CleaningTheGlass.

Offensively, Sharpe was very effective as a passer and finisher. He assists on 21.8 percent of his teammates’ field goals during his minutes, the ninth-highest mark among all NBA bigs who have played more than 500 minutes, and finishes a career-high 79 percent of his attempts at the rim.

Jordi Fernandez credited assistant Juwan Howard for working with Sharpe and Claxton over the past two seasons.

“Dai’Ron is always willing to do the right thing. … He’s getting better and growing. I think the work that Juwan Howard has done with (Nice and Dai’Ron) is invaluable,” Fernandez said. “Obviously, somebody who’s done it at the highest level ever. You just see these guys grow and get better. And a lot of times you need a little tough love, sometimes you need support, and I think Juvan’s been amazing. Those guys now, you can see how much they’ve grown and where they’re at, and we still think there’s a lot more room for improvement.”

With Sharpe and Claxton producing at a high level, Brooklyn could face a decision at the center position in the near future.

Claxton is under contract for $44 million over the next two seasons. Meanwhile, the Nets have a $6 million team option on Sharp next season. However, it could benefit them to decline that option and accept a long-term extension this summer. While Brooklyn may be comfortable paying both centers, it remains to be seen how long Sharpe will be content playing the backup role.

The Nets might also prefer to trade one of Claxton and Sharp and find another cost-controlled backup center through the draft. Sean Marks is having a successful run of the draft at this position, finding Jarrett Allen (No. 22), Claxton (No. 31) and Sharpe (No. 29) with late picks. Both Clacton and Sharpe are expected to generate interest in the trade market by the February 5 deadline.