Michael Porter Jr. has broken into the top 50 of the NBA’s midseason player rankings

Michael Porter Jraction. is on the rise. Porter put together an All-Star caliber season as the Brooklyn Nets‘ Option no. 1. The forward’s production in his new role changes the narrative surrounding his place in the NBA hierarchy.

For the first time in his career, Porter broke the top 50 on the NBA’s top 100, ranking No. 49 in Ringer’s latest rankings.

“Don’t look now, but Porter has remained a high-functioning NBA player, even away from the bosom of Nikola Jokic,” wrote Justin Verrier. “There was a lot of concern that a long-time starter would become an empty-calorie shooter for a Nets team playing only for the lottery, but Porter has been a productive and useful option on both ends — a true rarity in Brooklyn. The games have had virtually no role since the opener, but it became another month of needed Porter who has become a candidate for stretch and size runs.”

Porter was viewed by many in NBA circles as a problematic asset this summer due to the two years and $79 million remaining on his contract. The Denver Nuggets attached an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to his contract in the Cam Johnson deal in July.

However, the 27-year-old’s ability to maintain a high level of efficiency in the No. 1 role in Brooklyn has turned heads around the NBA.

Michael Porter Jr. received praise in the midst of a breakout season with the rebuilding Nets

Porter is averaging 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists on .481/.396/.846 shooting in 34 appearances this season. He, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the only NBA players to average such efficiency.

More impressive than his counting stats, the Nets were competitive with the 6-foot-10 scorer on the floor, posting a -1.0 net rating during his minutes.

Despite playing with only starters, the Brooklyn forward has performed above expectations for extended stretches, and Jordy Fernandez has built his system around Porter’s off-the-ball movement and elite shooting. The veteran power forward’s efficiency on one of the toughest diets in the NBA was a sight to behold.

Porter leads the NBA with 182 difficult (2-4 foot space) three-point attempts this season — 35 more than James Harden for second and 93 more than Norman Powell for third. Despite his ridiculous bulk, he converted at 36.3 percent, the fourth-highest mark among the 10 players with 70-plus attempts this season.

“For all of Porter’s flaws—the lack of quickness, the shaky handle, the general bulk—he’s still a ratchet 6-foot-10. Even as players his size get taller and taller behind the arc, he’s virtually unmatched among tall kings in terms of 3-point success: The only other player in history to hit a tafoot-104 or 3-6 in their career while taking five or more games was Peja Stojakovic,” he continued. is Verrier.

Porter is among the leading players on the trade market before the Feb. 5 deadline. A number of teams have had internal discussions about trading for the breakout forward.

however, The Nets have a high asking price and comfortably hold Porter in the off season.