Nets Notes: Porter Jr., Trade Talk, Traore, 20-Game Outlook
December 11, 2025, 10:48 PM CST — from Dana Gauruder
Michael Porter Jr. was moved by a former champion to a team that’s rebuilding. The ex-Nuggets forward doesn’t mind the change of scenery in Brooklyn and actually hopes to stay, telling Brian Lewis of the New York Post that he would prefer to remain with the Nets rather than be traded again.
“I love it here,” Porter said. “I love the staff, I love the energy of practice. Everyone gets along and there’s great vibes and energy around the facility. So whatever team wants and appreciates what I bring to the table, that’s where I want to be. And I feel like they do here.
“I don’t know their long-term plans; that’s above my pay grade. But any good, successful team needs a mix: young, energetic players with plenty of energy, plus some seasoned veterans who’ve been there and done that and can mentor the younger guys. So any team that thinks they can win at a high level with only young players doesn’t really happen. But as I said, if they want me here, I’d love to stay.”
Porter Jr. has one season left on his contract, but his $40.8 million salary for 2026-27 is only guaranteed for $12 million, which could make him an appealing target for contenders. He’s currently averaging a career-best 25.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game.
Here’s the latest on the Nets:
- In the trade arena, head coach Jordi Fernandez urges his players to tune out the noise, focus on winning, and keep sharpening their skills. “It’s that part of the year, and we all have to deal with it. It’s not the most enjoyable time, but we love our guys,” Fernandez told Dan Martin of the New York Post. “We’re going to keep focusing on working, getting better, and competing. We can’t control what’s happening outside, even though we know things may change. We’re not the ones talking about trades. We want work, accountability, and competitiveness—that’s our focus.”
- Brooklyn recalled the No. 19 pick from their G League affiliate in Long Island on Thursday, and Nolan Traore could immediately join the rotation. Traore posted averages of 18.8 points and 6.4 assists, shot 43.1% from three-point range across 13 G League games. “His superpower is speed,” Fernandez said, via C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News. “He’s been shooting the ball well and with confidence, which I love. He’s also been trying to be more vocal, which is exactly what you want from a point guard. And then the assist-to-turnover ratio—he’s had a stretch of solid numbers recently. I’m happy with where he’s at.”
- Brooklyn had won three of their last four heading into a road clash with Dallas on Friday. “We’re 23 games in, and we’re looking at the next 20,” Fernandez said. “Can we sustain this? Can we get better? Then we’ll look at the following 20. The process matters more than any single player’s development.”
If you’re following the Nets, the big story remains Porter Jr.’s fit with a potential long-term role in Brooklyn, balanced by the team’s ongoing evaluation of youth versus veteran leadership and how Traore’s early impact may shape future rotations.
Would you want Porter Jr. to stay in Brooklyn for the long haul, or do you think his value would be best utilized elsewhere? And how do you weigh the balance between developing young players and leveraging experienced veterans in a rebuilding team?
