Michael Porter Jr. trade Warriors
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Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles during the second half against the Toronto Raptors.
The Golden State Warriors are not balking at making a bold move ahead of the NBA trade deadline — but they are drawing a firm line on how much future they are willing to sacrifice to do it.
According to multiple reports, Golden State has pushed back on the Brooklyn Nets’ steep asking price for Michael Porter Jr., while remaining far more open to a major offer for New Orleans Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III.
The difference underscores a central theme shaping the Warriors’ deadline strategy: they are willing to spend for the right player — but not at the cost of flexibility that could be needed for a true franchise-altering opportunity.
Nets’ Two-Pick Price for Michael Porter Jr.
The Nets are seeking two first-round picks for Porter Jr., a former NBA champion who has emerged as Brooklyn’s top offensive option this season. That price point, however, has not sat well with Golden State.
ClutchPoints reporter Brett Siegel reported that while Porter, Murphy and Pelicans wing Herb Jones are the Warriors’ top three targets, Porter’s valuation is the most contentious.
“Michael Porter Jr., Trey Murphy III, and Herb Jones are the Warriors’ top three trade targets at this time,” Siegel wrote. “While the Warriors would be open to moving two first-round picks for Murphy, Golden State is cognizant of needing to maintain future draft assets. Early signals from the Warriors are that they do not want to trade more than one first-round pick for Porter, especially since such a move would involve trading Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody.”
Siegel added that Golden State is “very open” to trading Moody before the deadline and has explored a framework involving Kuminga, Moody, Buddy Hield and a first-round pick — but nothing beyond that.
Forbes’ Evan Sidery confirmed that Brooklyn’s stance has been firm.
“In continued trade discussions on Michael Porter Jr., the belief is the Nets are seeking two first-round picks in 2026 and 2028 from the Warriors,” Sidery reported. “Golden State can match salaries with Brooklyn by including Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Buddy Hield.”
So far, that gap remains unbridged.
Why Warriors Value Trey Murphy III More Than Porter Jr.
Despite Porter Jr.’s offensive surge — he is averaging 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and shooting over 40 percent from three — league sources suggest the Warriors view Murphy as the more complete and sustainable playoff piece.
Murphy is averaging career highs of 21.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 38.9 percent from three. More importantly, he provides elite perimeter defense, positional versatility and secondary playmaking — traits that fit Steve Kerr’s system and postseason demands far more cleanly.
In many ways, Murphy represents the two-way wing archetype Golden State hoped Kuminga would grow into when it selected him seventh overall in 2021.
Porter’s offensive ceiling is higher. Murphy’s two-way floor is safer.
That distinction is why Golden State is reportedly more willing to attach two first-round picks to a Murphy deal than a Porter one.
Pelicans Setting High Barriers for Murphy and Herb Jones
The challenge, of course, is that New Orleans has little incentive to move either Murphy or Jones — both of whom are on team-friendly contracts and fit the modern playoff mold perfectly.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported that while the Pelicans are listening, their price is intentionally prohibitive.
“The price point to convince New Orleans to part with either Murphy or Jones — swingmen who both possess favorable contracts on top of their highly desired skill sets — is extremely high and intended to discourage inquiries,” Stein wrote in December.
That has not changed. But that also has not stopped Golden State from monitoring the situation closely.
Warriors Guarding Draft Capital for Bigger Name
Golden State technically has up to four first-round picks available to trade, but league consensus is that the front office does not want to deploy that entire war chest unless a true superstar becomes available — with Giannis Antetokounmpo often cited as the theoretical threshold.
That restraint reflects both realism and strategy.
The Warriors enter the deadline as longshots, sitting at +3500 to win the NBA title at DraftKings. That implies a $100 bet returns $3,500, according to Betting Insight — a stark contrast to Oklahoma City, which sits as a +115 favorite.
In other words, even a Murphy or Porter addition likely improves Golden State — but does not vault it into the league’s inner championship circle.
That is why the Warriors are treating this deadline less as a desperation swing and more as a measured optimization of Stephen Curry’s remaining window to contend.
They are hunting upgrades.
They are not burning the future.
And until the price meets that philosophy, Golden State appears content to wait.