In his discussion with reporters two days ago, Sean Marks painted a positive picture of the Brooklyn Nets situation with Michael Porter Jr. who after being traded from the Nuggets had his best year of his seven-year NBA career, averaging 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 52 games before being shut down on April 3 with a hamstring strain.
“I’m sure we’ll have those discussions. I think we’ve got time. There’s no immediate hurry right now with Mike. We value him a lot. He had a terrific year
last year, arguably his best year as a pro. I give him a lot of credit for that,” Marks said. “It’s been great to see what Mike’s done for us. I look forward to having those discussions, and seeing what Mike can do the rest of the summer and the rest of the season.”
So, no urgency?
“No, any time you’re in a hurry, that’s when people make mistakes,” Marks added. “We’ve got a well-thought-out plan here over not only the last couple of years but the couple of years ahead. We’re gonna try and find who the next Nets are gonna be. I don’t think we wanna do anything hastily or in a rush here.
“As I said before, I love Mike, the guy, the person, the player, and I hope he is part of this team. But we’re just gonna have to have those discussions between the two of us and our representatives and go from there.”
Porter is entering the final year of a five-year, $179.3 million contract with Denver, earning $40.8 million this season. He’s been eligible for an extension now for several months. Although the Nets could sign him to a four- year, $234 million extension, taking him through age 32, most analysts think a deal worth somewhere in the four-year $160 million range is more likely.
Now, Chris Haynes, senior analyst for TNT, suggests that if the Nets and Porter — and his agent, Mark Bartlestein — can’t come to an agreement, a trade might be in the works.
“Michael Porter Jr’s agent…is scheduled to meet with the Brooklyn Nets…towards the tail end of summer league or at the end of summer league to begin dialogue on an extension,” said Haynes on NBA TV’s “The Association” Wednesday. “If it becomes apparent early on that an extension is not in play, then I do believe the next step will be the Brooklyn Nets and Michael Porter Jr potentially parting ways and potentially looking to move him.”
Haynes’ comments weren’t detailed and were loaded with caveats — “potentially” being used twice — the chief difference between Marks comments and his is the degree of urgency, Marks suggesting there’s plenty of time, Haynes saying things could move quickly once Summer League is over next week. That reflects both the normal distance in bargaining points between teams and players in contract talks … and Marks reputation for holding off until the last moment, whether in trades or contract talks.
They do, however, renew speculation that an MPJ trade could bring the Nets future assets, although with the league’s most draft picks (35), most first round picks (14), most tradeable firsts (10), most first round swaps (two) and a record number of seconds (21), the Nets would seem set in that category and instead may want something more tangible, more creative … IF indeed something evolves.
The teams most mentioned as possibilities for a Porter deal at last February’s trade deadline were two contenders, the Golden State Warriors and Detroit Pistons. Both currently have other issues to deal before discussing such a big move as adding MPJ, the Warriors with the continuing mystery of where LeBron James will end up and the Pistons with their unpleasant negotiations with free agent Jalen Duren who Haynes said “doesn’t want to be there,” and is considering taking the qualifying offer … which seems unlikely.
While the Nets may seem done or close to done with their summer duties — having traded Nic Claxton for Julius Randle and a first, signed Day’Ron Sharpe and Josh Minott to (reasonable) extensions, drafted Mikel Brown Jr., Joshua Jefferson and Tyler Bilodeau, and reached agreements with free agents Keon Ellis and Moe Wagner — they still have some cap space and a $9.4 million MLE to play with and have yet to sign Wagner to that two-year, $19 million deal.
Moreover, Porter appears to be all in on continuing his tenure in Brooklyn, having repeatedly and effusively praised the organization, Jordi Fernandez and the team’s strategy while happily assuming a role he never had in Denver … mentoring the team’s younger players, back in late May hosting four of the team’s five rookies on a mini-vacation at the Lake of the Ozarks in his home state of Missouri and leading a contingent of Nets veterans to cheer on the young players at the Summer League games. The Nets also had his young brother Jevon Porter in for a pre-draft workout.
Meanwhile, things might begin to clear up league wide in the next two days with James expected to make his latest pronouncement on his future.
