Warriors set to acquire Michael Porter Jr.? Potential three-team trade involving Kings and Nets: Countdown for Kuminga's departure

On January 12th Beijing time, US media Legion Hoops reported that the Golden State Warriors have strong interest in trading for Michael Porter Jr. The Warriors' management is currently debating whether to include Jonathan Kuminga as part of the trade package. Porter Jr. aims to fill Klay Thompson’s role in the Warriors’ offensive system. If this deal goes through, it would be a brilliant move.

Previously, The Athletic’s reporter Hollinger revealed that Porter Jr. is certain to be traded by the Brooklyn Nets before the NBA trade deadline on February 6th.

Hollinger stated in his report: “A reliable league source told me that Michael Porter Jr. will definitely be traded before the deadline, allowing the Nets to capitalize on his career-best performance and sell high. This also means the Nets must decide who will be their core player in a year. Keep in mind, Brooklyn has a draft pick swap with the Houston Rockets in 2027, so they have no incentive to tank next season and urgently need to add usable players.”

It is worth noting that the Warriors currently hold as many as three tradable first-round picks, along with most of their future first-round draft rights, including picks in 2026, 2027, and 2028. Therefore, they have the capacity to offer several future draft assets, which can help the Nets continue building their future roster after this season.

Other intriguing signs suggest the Warriors may be close to acquiring Porter Jr. At Warriors owner Joe Lacob’s 70th birthday party, someone shouted while congratulating him: “A trade for Porter Jr. is coming soon.”

Another noteworthy update is that the Nets removed Porter Jr. from the lineup for Monday’s game against the Grizzlies, listing his absence as “rest” on the injury report. Although some believe this rest was normal due to back-to-back games, Porter Jr. has played in multiple back-to-back games this season and did the same last season with the Denver Nuggets. Usually, players are temporarily sidelined only when a trade is imminent.

As trade rumors around Porter Jr. intensify, reporter Siegel noted that the Warriors and Bucks are the most active pursuers of Porter Jr.

These latest developments come just days before Warriors forward Kuminga becomes eligible for trade on January 16th. Although multiple reports say the Nets are not interested in the Congolese forward, there remains the possibility of a third team stepping in to facilitate a deal, with the Kings being one such candidate.

Regarding this, reporter Sidery previously reported that the Kings, as Kuminga’s most eager suitors, are “thoroughly exploring the market” and hope to use a three-team trade to offload Malik Monk’s contract while acquiring this Warriors wing. “The Kings are actively working the market, aiming for a multi-team trade involving the Warriors to send Malik Monk away and receive Jonathan Kuminga. The Nets, who have Michael Porter Jr., are a key party to watch.”

The potential three-team trade framework he mentioned is as follows —

Warriors receive: Michael Porter Jr.

Kings receive: Jonathan Kuminga

Nets receive: Malik Monk, draft assets from the Warriors, and salary-matching players

This season, Porter Jr. has posted career-best stats: averaging 25.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, with 3.7 made three-pointers. His average three-pointers per game rank tied for third in the league, behind only Curry (4.8) and Mitchell (3.9), and equal to Maxey (3.7).