The Golden State Warriors’ reluctance to give up first-round picks might end up dooming them. While it makes sense that they want to have valuable assets for the post-Stephen Curry era, they’re actively sabotaging him by not giving him the supporting cast he needs to make one final run at a championship.
That’s why, with the way Michael Porter Jr. Has been playing this season, they just need to make a run at him.
Likewise, there’s just no way they will get him unless they’re willing to meet the Brooklyn Nets’ asking price for his services, which is, understandably, quite steep.
According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, the Nets won’t trade Porter Jr. Just for the sake of it, and that spells trouble for a Warriors team that’s been trying to acquire reinforcements at a discount:
“Porter is one of the many options Golden State has discussed to this point, yet Brooklyn does not appear to have any interest in Kuminga,” wrote Siegel. “There are also concerns from the Warriors’ end about the asking price for Porter. The Nets don’t appear to be willing to simply take the best offer for the potential first-time All-Star over the next four weeks. Reports surrounding Golden State’s internal interest in Porter were first brought to light by The Stein Line.”
The Pistons might enter the race for Michael Porter Jr.
Now, to add insult to injury, the Detroit Pistons could put up a fight with the Warriors to acquire Michael Porter Jr.’s services, according to a report by NBA insider Jake Fischer:
“Another team to monitor when it comes to Porter, league sources say, is Detroit. The Pistons, as we’ve been reporting, have signaled that they don’t want to accelerate this pleasant surprise of a rebound from a 14-68 campaign in 2023-24 with an over-aggressive move during the season,” he reported.
The Pistons’ interest in Porter Jr. Makes perfect sense. They’re No. 1 in the Eastern Conference, and he’d be a massive upgrade over Tobias Harris as a floor-spacing big forward.
The former Denver Nuggets draft pick is averaging 25.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game on 49.5 percent from the floor and 40.8 percent from beyond the arc. He should be one of the most sought-after trade candidates in the league.
The Warriors are struggling to stay afloat and avoid the Play-In Tournament, and it’s become painfully evident that they’re just not good enough to keep up with championship contenders right now.
Porter Jr. Might be the key to changing all of that, and staying put while the Pistons or any other team gets him should be the last nail in the dynasty’s coffin.