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The Detroit Pistons have emerged as the new betting favorites to pull off a Michael Porter Jr. trade, spelling bad news for the Golden State Warriors in their pursuit of the Brooklyn Nets star.
The Pistons (+200) lead the Warriors (+300), Phoenix Suns (+400) and Milwaukee Bucks (+500) among the favorites to land MPJ by the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline.
Hypothetically, the Pistons could offer a package built around Tobias Harris’ expiring contract ($26.6M), Ron Holland II and two future first-round picks to land MPJ. Per multiple insiders, the Nets are seeking at least two first-rounders for Porter.
Warriors Trade Target: MPJ
There have been conflicting reports about the Warriors’ interest in the 2023 NBA Champion. While insiders such as Marc Stein, Brett Siegel and Jake Fischer have noted that the franchise views Porter as one of their top targets, ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater have reported otherwise on a potential MPJ to Warriors trade.
“As of this week, the Warriors hadn’t talked to the Brooklyn Nets in more than a month and have never shown real interest in a trade for wing Michael Porter Jr., league sources said,” read the ESPN report published on Jan. 15. ” They’ve been fond of Trey Murphy III in the past, but the New Orleans Pelicans are rebuffing calls about all of their young wings, league sources said.
“If the right star player is made available, the Warriors would be willing to move multiple first-round draft picks, team sources said, though they are more protective of their first-rounders in 2028 and beyond than their 2026 pick.”
Warriors Careful About Draft Assets
Interestingly, ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel noted last week that the Warriors would be willing to move two first-rounders for New Orleans Pelicans 3&D wing Trey Murphy III, but won’t offer such a package for Michael Porter Jr.
“Early signals from the Warriors are that they do not want to trade more than one first-round pick for Porter, especially since such a move would involve trading [Jonathan] Kuminga and Moses Moody,” Siegel reported on Dec. 12.
“…Porter appears to be at the top of the Warriors’ list right now if they can land him for Kuminga, Moody, Buddy Hield, and a first-round pick. Whether this is adequate value for the Brooklyn Nets and whether that organization will even trade him over the next three weeks is the big question.”
It’s worth noting that while Porter is a more dynamic offensive option, Murphy is arguably a better two-way player and is on a more cap-friendly contract. Porter is owed $38.3M this season and another $40.8M next year, the sort of money that could push Golden State to second-apron status, given that they owe Stephen Curry ($62.5M), Jimmy Butler III ($56.8M) and Draymond Green ($27.6M) over $145M next season. In comparison, Murphy is on an average salary of $28M through 2028-29 and is also two years younger than Porter, who has never been a good defensive player.
The Warriors are reportedly extra cautious about taking on long-term money due to their ambitious plans for 2027, when all their veteran stars will come off the books, and Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic could become free agents. According to multiple league insiders, the Warriors view that summer as the dawning of a new era.