Michael Porter Jr. Started his career with the Denver Nuggets, where he played for six seasons. He won a championship with them in 2023, cementing himself as one of the premier spot-up shooters in the league. This was a surprising development, as Porter was always considered the next superstar before entering the NBA.
Now that he is with the Brooklyn Nets, he has become the number-one option. He is now part of multiple trade rumors, but he may not be able to play the top guy role again, as he might be relegated to a spot-up shooter role like in Denver.
Pierce has little faith that Porter will be a star
While everyone is impressed with Porter's performances for the Nets, it could be mostly about the opportunity. Porter has no superstar teammate in Brooklyn, so he has been given the green light to keep shooting. He has done a great job at that, as he looks natural as the Nets' number-one option.
Naturally, other teams are interested in scooping him up in a potential trade. Despite his ability as a number-one option this season, he will most likely play a secondary role if he gets traded to a contending team.
More: Michael Porter Jr. Gets honest about not meeting his own lofty career expectations
Former Boston Celtics and Nets forward Paul Pierce has experience as a top guy for a championship team back in 2008. He knows what it takes to be a title-winning forward. With what he saw from Porter before he went to the Nets, Pierce thinks that Porter will return to that role if he joins another contender.
"It's hard for me to judge players on these bad teams. When you become good, how good are you really? On a good team. We're seeing MPJ average 25, but on a championship team, it's 18," Pierce said about Porter on No Fouls Given.
"I like the fact that he's doing what he needs to do, and he can contribute as a third option on a championship team with these types of numbers because I don't see him as a lead guy on a winning team."
Porter can prove Pierce wrong by being a top option for a championship team in the future. That is not happening at the moment because Porter is still playing for the Nets. It appears that he is happy playing in Brooklyn, but that could change if the Nets get a good offer.
In the long run, Porter still has a long career ahead of him. He could be a number-one option if the system is a good fit. Porter would love to prove Pierce and the other doubters wrong, especially since he was once destined to become an NBA superstar before all his back injuries.
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