On Tuesday evening, NBA insider Jake Fischer, who was on a Bleacher Report livestream, predicted that the biggest name that could be [moved before the Feb. 5 deadline](https://nugglove.com/michael-porter-jr-trade-deadline-fate-becoming-painfully-obvious-nuggets) is none other than former Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr.
Denver traded Porter to Brooklyn at the end of June, along with an unprotected 2032 first-round pick, for Cam Johnson. The move saved the Nuggets $35 million over the next two years, as MPJ is making $38.3 million this season and will make $40.8 million next season. For reference, Johnson is making $21 million this season and will make $23 million next season.
Yes, Porter is [having a better statistical season](https://nugglove.com/nets-quietly-learning-what-nuggets-fans-know-michael-porter-jr) than Johnson, but he's also playing for the third-worst team in the East. Still, he's taken advantage of the opportunity, proving what kind of player he is outside of Denver, and outside teams have taken notice. As a result, he could hit the road again, joining his third NBA team.
Fischer said, "He has absolutely rehabbed himself into a positive trade asset right now on the market."
Insider says Michael Porter Jr. could be the 'biggest name' traded before deadline
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You might be thinking that if Porter is the biggest name moved by Feb. 5, then it won't be that exciting a deadline as everyone initially thought, at least not after ESPN's Shams Charania's report from the beginning of this month about how Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent were having discussions with the Bucks about the superstar's future. Giannis hasn't publicly requested a trade, but if he does, he will hands down dominate deadline headlines.
The thing is that with a little over a month left until the deadline, Giannis seems somewhat content to stay in Milwaukee for at least the rest of the season. The Bucks want to be buyers at the deadline. As long as those things don't change (and Anthony Davis stays put), there is a chance MPJ's future will take over headlines.
Not only has Porter elevated his once sunken trade value, but his championship experience is a major bonus for teams that may be interested in his services. His high salary makes a potential trade somewhat complicated, but not impossible.
The deadline will be here before you know it, and given that Denver should stay quiet for the most part, it will be entertaining to keep tabs on Porter. In the meantime, you can look forward to seeing him twice this month: once on Jan. 4 in Brooklyn, when the Nuggets visit Barclays, and again on Jan. 29, when the Nets visit Ball Arena (if he is still with Brooklyn then).