- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,242,607
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Warriors Rumors: 'Little Reason To Believe' Steve Kerr Would Support Trade for $179,299,750 Star Wing
Golden State Warriors rumors haven’t been as hot and heavy as in recent offseasons. While one report suggested the team needed to acquire another star to catch up in the LeBron James free-agency sweepstakes, the Warriors haven’t appeared to come close to pulling off such a trade.
But that doesn’t mean they’re not constantly evaluating ways to upgrade their roster. Could that include targeting a star wing who’s still just 28 years old?
Warriors Linked to Michael Porter Jr., Steve Kerr Unlikely To Support Move
If there was an acquirable star out there that the Warriors really wanted, chances are they would have already found a way to trade for him. Yet, it’s possible that some of the biggest names that are available aren’t of interest to Golden State.
One player whom the Warriors have been linked to in offseason trade rumors is the Brooklyn Nets’ Michael Porter Jr. The former NBA champion is entering the final season of a five-year, $179,299,750 contract originally signed with the Denver Nuggets back in 2021.
However, according to Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor, the Warriors, specifically head coach Steve Kerr, may not be interested in bringing Porter to the Bay Area.
“Michael Porter Jr.? Sources say that Steve Kerr didn’t want MPJ in February, and there is little reason to believe he would want him now,” O’Connor wrote Wednesday.
MORE:LeBron James’ Former Teammate Urges Cavaliers to Cut Ties With $81.5 Million Star to Pull Off Reunion
Well, that could close the door on that idea. O’Connor didn’t expand on the reasons why Kerr may not want to add Porter alongside Stephen Curry and Co.
The 6-foot-10 wing has contributed to five playoff teams in seven seasons, so it’s not like he’d be ill-prepared for the big moment in Golden State. Porter’s also typically been an excellent shooter, with a career 3-point percentage of 39.8%.
That said, Porter’s shooting splits did drop off last season while being asked to shoulder the primary scoring load for a Nets team that finished with the league’s third-worst record (20-62).
In his final season with the Nuggets, Porter shot 50.4% from the floor, 39.5% from distance, and 76.8% from the free-throw line. While his free-throw accuracy improved to 85.9% in Brooklyn, Porter saw his field-goal percentage drop to 46.3%, the second-lowest mark of his NBA career. He also shot just 36.3% from deep, also his second-worst accuracy to date.
Perhaps Kerr sees something of concern in Porter’s game that others don’t. After all, the Nuggets once deemed him expendable too, but only after he helped them win a championship in 2023.
As it stands, Porter will get a chance to bounce back efficiency-wise during his second season in Brooklyn. Perhaps he can do enough to change Kerr’s mind in time for next summer’s free agency, when he is set to hit the open market.
Continue reading...
