Golden State is reportedly interested in acquiring Michael Porter Jr., sources tell Chris Mannix. The 27-year-old forward is delivering an All-Star-caliber season in Brooklyn, averaging 25.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game.
Porter Jr. is in the fourth year of a five-year, $179 million contract and is seen as a versatile scorer and playmaker. Mannix reports that the Nets’ asking price includes multiple first-round picks, a cost Golden State is reluctant to meet at this time.
The Warriors’ need for additional scoring became more urgent after Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending ACL injury earlier this month. Golden State currently ranks eighth in the Western Conference at 26-22, 12 games behind the league-leading Thunder.
Brooklyn sits near the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 12-32 record, but the Nets are not expected to sell Porter Jr. cheaply. Mannix notes that if the Nets fail to secure their desired return before the February 5 trade deadline, Golden State could revisit discussions.
Stephen Curry continues to lead the team with 27.3 points per game, supported by Brandin Podziemski’s 12.2 points and Draymond Green’s 8.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest. The Warriors have relied on this core but see Porter Jr. as a potential high-impact addition to bolster scoring and spacing.
Porter Jr. has improved as a facilitator this season, averaging a career-high 3.2 assists per game, highlighting his ability to complement a playmaking guard like Curry. The forward has also shot 39.5% from three-point range, adding perimeter efficiency to Brooklyn’s otherwise struggling offense.
