The Golden State Warriors need to make some significant changes to the team’s roster and rotation prior to the NBA trade deadline. At 15-15, the Dubs are clearly lacking some key pieces to vault themselves back into title contention. It may be too late, but general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. owes it to Steph Curry to try. Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. is among the best potential targets
for Golden State.Here’s a look at five different trades that could bring Porter to the Bay Area:
Warriors-Nets
Michael Porter Jr. trade idea #1
Warriors get: Michael Porter Jr.
Nets get: Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, and 2026 Warriors 1st (top-4 protected, else 2027 unprotected 1st)
Why the Warriors would accept this deal:
Porter would address the Warriors lack of scoring punch and size alongside Steph, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green. While his $38.3 million salary would make it difficult for the team to match salaries, a package of Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Buddy Hield would be sufficient and clear enough space to add Pat Spencer to the roster and another player. Kuminga and Hield are already out of the rotation. While Moody provides solid wing depth, Porter would be an immediate upgrade that would justify parting with the Dubs 2026 first-round pick.
Porter has been excelling this season, particularly recently, which could push Brooklyn to ask for two first-round picks in a deal. The Warriors should hold firm that Kuminga and Moody provide sufficient value alongside one pick, but if they are desperate, pick swaps could become the final sweetners.
Why the Nets would accept this deal:
As well as Porter has played this season, the Nets remain far away from viewing themselves as contenders. So, if the Nets are looking to add some picks and prospects at the deadline, selling high on Porter for the best bid is the obvious move.
While his unique combination of size, rebounding, shooting, and scoring are hard to come by, Porter’s injury history, off-court drama, and defensive struggles make him a secondary contributor on a championship contender. However, his annual $40 million salary is a cumbersome hurdle for a trade. His contract will prevent many contenders from trying to trade for him and dampen his market.
The Pistons, for example, would have to part with Tobias Harris to match salaries, but he has become a key team leader and useful contributor. Other teams like the Clippers, Blazers, Grizzlies, and Suns would likely only be willing to offer veteran salary-filler contracts in a deal. Moreover, it’s hard to imagine any of those teams offering the Nets multiple first-round picks. Since Golden State lacks salary filler, the most obvious trade packages include Kuminga and Moody for Porter. So, the Warriors packaging a first-round pick with two young players on team-friendly deals would likely be the best offer Brooklyn received.
Warriors-Nets Michael Porter Jr. trade idea #2: Kings get Kuminga
Warriors get: Michael Porter Jr., Keon Ellis, 2026 ATL 2nd
Nets get: Malik Monk, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, and 2026 Warriors 1st (top-4 protected, else 2027 unprotected 1st), right to swap 2027 NYK/HOU 1st with GS 1st (unprotected), right to swap 2029 NYK/HOU/DAL/PHX 1st for GS 1st (top-8 protected)
Kings get: Jonathan Kuminga, 2028 ATL 2nd
Why the Warriors would accept this deal:
The Warriors need offensive firepower, size, and point of attack defense. Porter and Ellis would be an excellent duo of players that would address all of those needs. They both are truly elite shooters, particularly in catch-and-shoot situations. Porter would provide significant size and rebounding. Ellis, meanwhile, has at times been among the best point-of-attack defenders in the league.
The Warriors could use Ellis and Porter to try and move Draymond Green to the bench. A starting lineup of Curry, Ellis, Butler, Porter, and Post would surround Butler with four elite shooters for their position, give Curry plenty of spacing, and should be able to hold up defensively. Green would likely close for Post in close games, particularly against strong offenses, but it would be far easier to lessen Green’s workload prior to the playoffs. Even if Green stayed in the starting lineup, head coach Steve Kerr would have far more offensive firepower to build rotations.
While the Warriors would be giving up a lot in this deal, including control of three future first-round picks, they would be in position to sign Ellis to a long-term extension that should be very tradeable. Golden State would also still be able to trade two future first-round picks (2027 or 2028 with 2032) in deals, leaving them with some remaining pieces for future trades.
Why the Nets would accept this deal:
If the Nets were high on Kuminga, they would have made him an offer sheet this offseason to sign him for nothing. Clearly the front office does not covet the young forward. That doesn’t eliminate a potential move, but it does suggest a three-team deal where Kuminga goes elsewhere could be in the cards. In this scenario, Golden State calls up the Kings and redirects Malik Monk to the Nets. Brooklyn buys-low on Monk, who is still in his 20s and may be able to put up 20 points per game in the Nets environment.
However, more importantly for Brooklyn, the Warriors are offering two valuable pick swaps. While the 2027 draft is weak, the Nets currently do not control their own pick. Currently, the Rockets have a right to swap firsts with them, which seems nearly guaranteed at the moment. This deal would empower the Nets to use either lower of the Knicks first-round pick (which they control from the Mikal Bridges trade) or the Rockets pick that they get swapped. Furthermore, the Nets will receive the worst first between the Rockets, Mavericks, and Suns in 2029 alongside the Knicks first. Even a protected swap would be valuable for Brooklyn. Both of those swaps should carry enough value to justify parting with a pair of second-round picks.
Monk’s contract is
Why the Kings would accept this deal:
They could probably get a collection of second-round picks for Ellis, but this deal gets Sacramento Kuminga, who they’ve long coveted, and off Malik Monk’s contract, something they’ve been trying to do for months. The Kings don’t want to make Ellis a sweetner, but in a world where they were willing to offer a future first-round pick to move Monk for Kuminga over the summer, they could convince themselves they are netting a first-round pick’s worth of value in this deal that gets them an extra future second-rounder alongside Kuminga.
Warriors-Nets Michael Porter Jr. trade idea #3: Pacers “blockbuster”
Warriors get: Michael Porter Jr., Tyrese Martin
Nets get: Obi Toppin, Moses Moody, T.J. McConnell, Buddy Hield, Benedict Mathurin, Jarace Walker, and 2026 Warriors 1st (top-4 protected, else 2027 unprotected 1st)
Pacers get: Nic Claxton, Jonathan Kuminga, Jalen Wilson
Why the Warriors would accept this deal:
It’s the same package from the Warriors perspective, except they have to take back Tyrese Martin’s minimum salary contract to placate the Nets. Martin is an experienced 6’6 wing the Dubs could use to fill out the roster alongside Pat Spencer, but the deal also saves them enough money that they could waive him and sign a replacement if they preferred.
Why the Nets would accept this deal:
Brooklyn does not control their first-round pick next season. With all the incentives in the world to try and reach the playoffs, a package of several solid young players who would be immediate starters would be quite intriguing. The Nets would likely immediately start McConnell, Mathurin, Moody, and Toppin. Hield and Walker would also be among the best players on the bench.
The Nets would acquire just one first-round pick for Claxton and Porter, but would be betting on the ability to get far more valuable out of the collection of prospects.
Why the Pacers would accept this deal:
Toppin, McConnell, Mathurin, and Walker are all secondary pieces for the Pacers. Toppin and McConnell have been excellent bench contributors, but are also making about $25 million a year and could be viewed as pieces the team can replace with cheaper options. While Mathurin has had flashes, he is going to be a restricted free agent and likely seeking a nine-figure deal this offseason. Walker, on the other hand, has failed to live up to his lottery pick prospects, and is guaranteed $8 million next season. All four have been rumored to be available in trade talks for that reason.
The Pacers are looking for a long-term center, have been reportedly eyeing Kuminga for years, and have an owner whose cheapness forces the front office to consistently avoid paying the luxury tax. This deal would help them accomplish all three of those goals.
Claxton would immediately be Indiana’s center of the future on a team-friendly deal that actually descends in value over the next three seasons. The Pacers could use the rest of the season to evaluate whether Kuminga is worth a long-term investment. If he surges, they could exercise the team option in his deal at low risk to evaluate before giving him a big extension. If he struggles, they could still re-sign him to a deal in the $5-$15 million per year range. But if they simply let him go, they would have added a legitimate starting center and cut their 2026-27 payroll obligations by $14 million in a deal that did not cost them any draft picks.
Warriors-Nets Michael Porter Jr. trade idea #4: Miami Heat salary filler
Warriors get: Michael Porter Jr.
Nets get: Terry Rozier, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, and 2026 Warriors 1st (top-4 protected, else 2027 unprotected 1st), 2031 MIA 1st (top-10 protected)
Heat get: Jonathan Kuminga
Why the Warriors would accept this deal:
From the Warriors perspective, it’s identical to the first trade.
Why the Nets would accept this deal:
If the Nets are low on Kuminga or simply want to prioritize draft picks. They would be able to acquire two first-round picks simply for taking on Rozier’s expiring contract, which would clear even more salary cap space for Brooklyn this offseason. Moody and two first-round picks would be an impressive haul for MPJ.
Why the Heat would accept this deal:
The Heat clearly covet a star, but if that deal does not materialize at the deadline, Miami would love to flip Rozier’s expiring $26 million contract into something that gives them more long-term flexibility. Since the Heat reportedly wanted to acquire Kuminga in a Jimmy Butler trade last season, he seems like the perfect fit. By turning Rozier into Kuminga, the Heat would acquire a young prospect with big upside alongside a contract that could be useful salary filler in a deal for a star this summer.
Warriors-Nets Michael Porter Jr. trade idea #5: Zion Williamson
Warriors get: Michael Porter Jr.
Nets get: Zion Williamson, Buddy Hield
Pelicans get: Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, 2026 GS 1st (top-4 protected, else 2027 unprotected 1st)
Why the Warriors would accept this deal:
It’s the same deal from the Warriors perspective as the first and fourth trade.
Why the Nets would accept this deal:
The Nets are in the unique position to gamble on a buy-low potential star like Zion Williamson. The Nets are reportedly ready to move on from the former first-overall pick and have had some interest in Kuminga. By redirecting Kuminga, Moody, and a first-rounder to the Pelicans, they would be turning MPJ into Zion.
Why the Pelicans would accept this deal:
It’s already been reported that New Orleans’ new front office is looking to move on from Zion Williamson. Derik Queen has been a sensation as a rookie, and seems to fill a similar role. The Pelicans could insert Kuminga into Williamson’s starting power forward spot to see if he meshed with Queen, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, and Jeremiah Fears. Moody would be an excellent role player off the bench, and could also be a long-term replacement if New Orleans did trade either Murphy or Jones. On top of that, New Orleans would get back into the first-round of the 2026 draft after trading their pick last summer.
Bonus Warriors-Nets Michael Porter Jr. trade idea: Draymond Green
Warriors get: Michael Porter Jr., Jarred Vanderbilt, 2026 CHA 2nd
Lakers get: Draymond Green, Haywood Highsmith
Nets get: Malik Monk, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Buddy Hield, 2026 Warriors 1st (top-4 protected, else 2027 unprotected 1st), 2031 LAL 1st (top-4 protected, else 2032 unprotected 1st)
Kings get: Jonathan Kuminga
Why the Warriors would accept this trade:
While it’s still hard to imagine the Warriors trading one of their three veteran All-Stars at the deadline, Draymond Green’s recent struggles and outbursts make it worth mentioning. Since Porter could conceivably replace Green in the Dubs starting lineup, the Warriors could package Green, Kuminga, and Hield to bring back up to $57.6 million in salary. That would be more than enough to acquire Porter Jr. and another piece. It would not only allow them to acquire Porter Jr. and another piece, but it would also enable them to do so without trading Moody. Instead, Moody would become the team’s backup forward behind Butler or could be utilized in a different deal for an additional upgrade.
In this scenario, the Warriors add Jarred Vanderbilt and a likely top-40 pick via the Hornets second-rounder alongside Porter Jr. Neither piece is a massive needle mover, but Vanderbilt would give head coach Steve Kerr a defensive-oriented power forward with size to utilize as he tried to rebuild the Dubs defense without its longtime anchor. Vanderbilt is arguably even more limited than Green offensively and is guaranteed around $12 million a season through 2027-28, but the Warriors would be doing this deal because they believe in Porter Jr’s fit and that there is some addition-by-subtraction from offloading Draymond.
Why the Lakers would accept this trade:
The Lakers remain the most viable fit for Green. They have the offensive firepower to overcome Green’s weaknesses and desperately need a defensive anchor if they are going to be a legitimate Western Conference contender. The Lakers could combine Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber’s expiring contracts with Jarred Vanderbilt to take back Green’s salary and up to around $9 million. Not only would Green be an upgrade over Vanderbilt, but it would also get them out of Vanderbilt’s contract, and it’s long-term guarantees.
The Lakers only have one viable sweetener in a deal like this: a future first-round pick. They can only trade one future first-round pick, either in 2031 or 2032. While the front office may be understandably hesitant to make that move now, there may be no better addition to take their defense to another level than Green. Moreover, by trading the team’s 2031 first, the Lakers would still be able to trade a future first-rounder this offseason after the 2026 NBA Draft.
Why the Nets would accept this trade:
While the are adding no real prospects, they acquire two first-round picks and give themselves an additional $20 million in salary cap space this offseason. They would have effectively turned Cam Johnson into three future first-round picks and Malik Monk. It’s worth noting that Brooklyn could also redirect one or multiple of Vincent, Kleber, and Hield to other teams looking to unload long-term contracts and clear cap space to acquire additional picks.
Why the Kings would accept this trade:
Only needing to trade Malik Monk and one second-round pick for Kuminga would be a massive win for Scott Perry and the Kings front office.
