What I’m Hearing About Nets’ Michael Porter Jr. Trade Plans 2 days before the deadline

The Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden sweepstakes is the story of the NBA heading into Thursday’s trade deadline. However, several other trade names are trade candidates. Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. is among the most significant.

Porter has rebuilt his value and then some after the Denver Nuggets salary cap off him to the Nets this summer. The 6-foot-10 sharpshooter was among the NBA’s leading scorers this season, averaging 25.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists on .482/.398/.851 shooting.

With one year left on his contract, Brooklyn faces a decision on Porter in the coming days.

The Nets haven’t actively shopped Porterbut they have been fielding calls from interested teams over the past month. League sources told ClutchPoints that Brooklyn kept the asking price high, leading to skepticism about whether a trade would materialize before Thursday.

If a deal doesn’t materialize, sources fully expect the rebuilding team to revisit trade talks during the offseason.

The latest on Michael Porter Jr. trade availability as the deadline approaches

Porter will enter the final year of his $40 million contract this summer. He will be eligible for an extension in July and, coming off a career-best season, should command an exorbitant contract. Considering their rebuilding timeline and Porter’s injury history, league sources are skeptical that the Nets will make a significant, long-term commitment to the soon-to-be 28-year-old.

The Antetokounmpo sweepstakes clouded Porter deadline markets and others as candidates are making their offers for the Milwaukee Bucks superstar. However, the saga should be over by the summer. At that point, teams will have a better sense of where they stand and more draft picks will be available for trade around the league.

Such clarity could create more suitors for Porter.

Among the teams are the Nets who could enter a bid for Antetokounmpo this summer. Brooklyn will own An NBA-best 11 tradeable first-round picks at the time of the draft and long coveted Antetokounmpo. Should general manager Sean Marks decide to pursue the two-time MVP, Porter would likely be the main salary cap in the deal.

The Nets could also try to keep Porter in order to pair him with Antetokounmpo. In such a scenario, they could build a package around Nic Clacton, young prospects and a bunch of draft picks.

While things are moving quickly around the deadline, it’s looking increasingly likely that Porter will remain in Brooklyn after 3pm EST on Thursday. Even so, the Nets star will remain a leading name in trade rumors for the next year.