Michael Porter Jr.
Getty
Michael Porter Jr. is in his first season with the Brooklyn Nets.
The Golden State Warriors have been linked to several trade targets as the February 5 deadline approaches.
One name that has surfaced repeatedly in speculation is Michael Porter Jr.
But according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, those rumors have no foundation.
“As of this week, the Warriors hadn’t talked to the Brooklyn Nets in more than a month and have never shown real interest in a trade for wing Michael Porter Jr., league sources said,” Charania reported Thursday.
The update is disappointing for fans hoping Golden State would make a meaningful move to help Stephen Curry chase a fifth championship. Porter would have been exactly the type of player the Warriors need—a 6-foot-10 wing who can score, space the floor, and defend multiple positions.
Instead, the front office appears committed to prioritizing flexibility over impact.
Underdog NBA
Shams: Warriors have never shown “real interest” in a trade for Michael Porter Jr.
What the Warriors Are Actually Targeting
Charania’s report offered clarity on what Golden State is prioritizing as the deadline nears.
The Warriors have been focused on expiring contracts in return for Jonathan Kuminga, who demanded a trade on Thursday. Golden State has declined to take back long-term money unless the value is undeniable.
That approach has created friction in talks with the Sacramento Kings. The Warriors have refused to absorb the three years and $60.4 million remaining on Malik Monk‘s contract. Keon Ellis, who is on a cheaper expiring deal, has been floated as a potential addition that could sweeten a Sacramento package.
Golden State has also expressed interest in Trey Murphy III in the past. But the New Orleans Pelicans are turning away calls on all their young wings, according to league sources.
The Warriors’ preference for expiring contracts limits their options significantly. Players who could actually help Curry compete for another title are being ruled out before negotiations even start.
The Cost of Going All-In on Michael Porter Jr.
Michael Porter Jr., Warriors, Warriors trade
GettyMichael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets.
The belief around the league is that the Nets are seeking two first-round picks for Porter.
That price is steep. But it is also the cost of going all-in on your franchise’s greatest player.
Curry is 37 years old. He is still performing at an elite level, but the window is closing. The Warriors have spent the last few seasons trying to balance competing now with building for the future, and the result has been mediocrity. They are not good enough to win a championship. They are not bad enough to justify a full rebuild.
At some point, a decision has to be made.
Porter would give the Warriors a legitimate scoring threat alongside Curry. He is averaging 25.7 points per game this season and shooting 40.1% from three. His size and versatility would address Golden State’s most glaring need—a wing who can create his own shot and defend at a high level.
After the Kuminga saga, is two first-round picks too steep a price? Or is it finally time to go all-in on the best player in franchise history?
The front office’s reluctance to make that move suggests they are not ready to commit. But that approach raises uncomfortable questions about what Curry’s final years will look like and whether the Warriors are willing to do what it takes to give him one more legitimate shot at a championship.
The Kuminga Situation Adds Urgency
GettyJonathan Kuminga has demanded a trade from the Golden State Warriors.
Kuminga’s trade demand on Thursday accelerated the timeline.
He has not played in the Warriors’ last 13 games. Head coach Steve Kerr buried him at the bottom of the rotation after a strong start to the season, and the relationship between Kuminga and the organization has deteriorated.
Team sources told ESPN that nearly every major figure within the organization agrees the best resolution is to trade Kuminga before the deadline. That includes Kuminga himself, Kerr, and veterans who have watched a $22.5 million player sit idle while the team struggles.
Kuminga signed a two-year, $46.8 million contract this summer with a team option on the second season. That structure was designed to create a tradeable contract at the deadline. Kuminga has a $24.3 million team option for next season, which gives teams flexibility. They can decline the option and use him as an expiring deal, or use him as trade filler in the summer.
General manager Mike Dunleavy and his front office have spent recent weeks canvassing the market for Kuminga. The Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks are among the teams that have shown interest, but several others are also involved because of his flexible contract.
What Happens Next for Golden State
The Warriors have not given assurances to any team that Kuminga will be traded before the deadline.
Some within the organization believe it could be better business to wait until the summer. But rival executives believe that stance is a bluff and expect Kuminga to be moved.
If the right star becomes available, the Warriors would be willing to move multiple first-round picks. However, they are more protective of their picks in 2028 and beyond than their 2026 selection.
Final Word for the Warriors
The Michael Porter Jr. rumors were never based in reality.
Golden State has not shown interest in him, and the front office’s focus on expiring contracts and flexibility may have ruled out the kind of move that could help Stephen Curry compete for a fifth championship.
That approach makes sense if the goal is long-term sustainability. But it raises questions about maximizing Curry’s remaining years. He is the best player in franchise history. He has earned the right to compete for another championship. And the Warriors’ window to give him that chance is narrowing.
Jonathan Kuminga wants out. The veterans are frustrated. And the front office is balancing 2028 draft picks against the legacy of the player who built this dynasty.
The next three weeks will determine whether Golden State is willing to make a significant move or whether they believe Curry’s best championship opportunities have passed.