Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernández spoke highly of Michael Porter Jr., crediting the forward for battling through years of injuries and setbacks.
“People underestimate how tough mentally Mike and players that went through serious injuries are,” Fernández told the New York Post. “What he’s accomplished with everything he had to go through is very impressive. I give him a lot of credit.”
Porter arrived in Brooklyn this summer in a trade from the Denver Nuggets that sent Cameron Johnson to Denver along with a future first-round pick. The deal marked a major roster shift for the Nets as they continue to build around a young core and newly drafted talent.
Fernández, who worked closely with Porter during his time as an assistant in Denver, sees untapped potential in the 6-foot-10 forward. He said Porter will be asked to step into a more aggressive offensive role with Brooklyn.
“I’m going to want him to be aggressive,” Fernández said. “I’m going to ask him to shoot the ball, be the best cutter on the floor because he’s a big target and a very good rebounder.”
The coach made clear he won’t overload Porter with ball-handling duties, but instead wants him to maximize his scoring ability and size. “I’m not going to be asking him to dribble too much… but he can shoot over people. He can rebound. I’m excited to watch him in a different role,” Fernández added.
Porter averaged 18.2 points and 7.0 rebounds for the Nuggets last season. Across his career, he has maintained efficiency as a perimeter shooter with a 40.6% mark from three.
Injuries limited his availability early in his career, including back surgeries that sidelined him for significant stretches. Fernández believes overcoming those setbacks has shaped Porter’s mental toughness.
Now in Brooklyn, Porter joins a retooled roster featuring Nic Claxton, Cam Thomas, and 2025 first-round pick Egor Demin. The Nets view him as a key piece who can provide scoring punch and veteran experience alongside the young core.
