Michael Porter Jr. addressed his role last season during Brooklyn Nets Media Day ahead of the 2025–26 NBA season. The forward revealed he was playing at “20%” during the playoffs with the Denver Nuggets.
Porter Jr., who was traded to Brooklyn on July 8, in exchange for Cameron Johnson, reflected on the adjustment to a new team and city. “Honestly, it’s been great. Taking a few weeks to get acclimated has been amazing,” he said.
The 27-year-old highlighted the difference in his role compared to Denver. “In Denver, Jamal and Nikola had a very fluid two-man game. Here, it’s completely different, and I got to be ready to be fresh as a go-to guy in the fourth quarter,” he explained.
Porter Jr. acknowledged the challenge of transitioning from a supporting role to leading the Nets. “The harder thing will be going from that to this. It’s going to take a whole new level of focus for me and a level of intentionality with my workouts and recovery,” he said.
Despite the adjustment, he expressed confidence in the coaching staff. Porter Jr. has a history with head coach Jordi Fernández from his Denver days. “Him already being familiar with me on and off the court has been big,” Porter Jr. said.
Brooklyn’s roster features several young players with overseas professional experience. Porter Jr. believes his experience in high-stakes playoff situations will help guide them. “Being on the floor with these young guys, I think that’s part of my duty to impart some of those winning habits,” he said.
The forward also described his offseason preparations, which focused on expanding his skill set to match his expected role. “A lot of the attention in my workouts is on mid-post work, catching the ball, making reads, and one-dribble pull-ups,” he said.
Porter Jr. plans to embrace leadership both on and off the court. “Not just on the court, but also off the court in film sessions, I’ll be able to share things with these young guys that hopefully speed up the process for everybody,” he added.
As the Nets prepare for the 2025–26 season, Porter Jr.’s comments underline his commitment to stepping into a primary role. “This year is very important for me and my career. My body’s in a good place, and I’m excited to show that for sure,” he said.
