Nets Predicted To Trade Their Best Player for Small Asset Pile

The Brooklyn Nets are doing what they’re supposed to do. They are losing a ton of games and are on their way to a top lottery pick in a loaded draft. Another goal of the Nets should be to develop their young talent. This hasn’t been going quite as well, and that’s partly due to Michael Porter Jr.’s hot start to the season. 

It’s not that MPJ is purposely holding back the Nets' young picks; he just takes a lot of shots and isn’t known for improving those around him. That’s why the Nets are reportedly shopping MPJ on the trade market. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed “1 Trade Every NBA Team Would Make If the Deadline Was Today,” and his trade for the Nets had them sending MPJ to the Chicago Bulls. 

"The trade: Michael Porter Jr. to the Chicago Bulls for Patrick Williams, Zach Collins, and a 2026 first-round pick (top-7 protected)

Brooklyn, arguably to its detriment, hasn't tanked as hard as some of basketball's other bottom-feeders. The organization, though, hasn't lost sight of its biggest long-term directives. If it can, it hopes to utilize some of its remaining financial flexibility to "absorb salary while receiving assets," per ESPN's Shams Charania.

That mindset is, more or less, what led the Nets to Porter in the first place, as they nabbed an unprotected 2032 first from the Nuggets to take him for Cam Johnson. With Porter playing at a high enough level to attract legitimate interest (26.3 points on 50.1/40.3/81.7 shooting), they should sense an opportunity to effectively increase their return from that initial deal.”

Trading MPJ is the right idea, but the Nets should be able to get a better package than this. 

Patrick Williams is not exciting, and neither are any of the other assets in this trade idea.

If the Nets are gonna trade away their best player, they should be able to get a bit more back for him. If they can’t, it may be worth holding onto him until the offseason to see if they can get a better deal.