Brooklyn Nets forwards Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle have been trying to get on the same page prior to the beginning of the regular season next week against the Charlotte Hornets. Brooklyn has been using the two veterans to help the rest of the team learn to play together over the course of the preseason, but it's good to see that the duo has played extremely well.
In HoopsHype's global rating metric that was updated following the conclusion of Wednesday's preseason games, Porter and Randle ranked inside the top-14 of the calculation. Porter ranked 13th behind players like Los Angeles Clippers forward Rui Hachimura, Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes, and Miami Heat forward Giannis Antetokounmpo while Randle ranked just one spot behind Porter at No.
14.
Porter averaged 21.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 59.0% from the field and 47.6% from behind the three-point line in his three preseason appearances. Porter missed one game due to left wrist soreness, but given that he was able to come back into the lineup without any restrictions should be good news for his availability for opening night.
Randle, who played in all four of Brooklyn's preseason games, averaged 14.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 43.6% from the floor and 33.3% from deep. Randle struggled with his shooting at times, especially in Wednesday's 144-128 loss to the Heat in the preseason finale, but he also looked to be the most capable passer on the roster at this point in the season.
Porter had the best season of his career last season and he almost made it to his first All-Star Game, but his play tailed off following the All-Star break as he dealt with injuries and his self-admitted drop in focus. However, with the Nets acquiring Randle from the Minnesota Timberwolves via trade, Porter has another player that can take some of the defensive attention off of him and it seems like the two veterans are playing well together thus far.
Per HoopsHype's global rating, Nets forwards Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle ranked inside the top-14 of all the players that played during the NBA preseason. Porter averaged 21.7 PPG and 3.3 RPG while Randle averaged 14.0 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 4.8 APG. pic.twitter.com/ETy9dkAS8D
— Sharif Phillips-Keaton (@SharifKeaton) October 15, 2026
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets' Michael Porter Jr., Julius Randle ranked top-14 in NBA preseason
