The Golden State Warriors have been dealt a blow in their efforts to land Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr.
With three weeks to go until the NBA's trade deadline, veteran insider Marc Stein says he is receiving "pushback" on the notion that the Nets are ready to trade Porter, who is averaging 25.9 points per game as he continues a career year.
MORE: Nets predicted to cut ties with Michael Porter Jr. Via trade to Warriors
"More people that I speak to than not keep telling me the Nets would rather not trade him now, as hot as he is, to wait till the offseason, see how they do in the lottery, and then make a decision," Stein reported Sunday on the All NBA podcast.
The Warriors and several other teams have been linked with Porter, who offers size and scoring that have proven integral to a championship run before.
Porter, who won the NBA title with the Denver Nuggets in 2023, is signed through next year, meaning the Nets -- unlikely to play in the postseason with their 11-25 record -- do not necessarily have to trade him now.
Brooklyn seems intent on maximizing their return for Porter, whenever they decide to trade him. As the Nets continue their rebuild, they will be hoping to receive multiple first-round picks -- and possibly additional players -- in a Porter trade, which is shaping up to be a blockbuster.
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