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As the trade deadline nears, Michael Porter Jr. opens up about playing through an MCL sprain amid Lakers interest.
With the Los Angeles Lakers linked to multiple trade targets as the Feb. 5 deadline approaches, new injury context has emerged around one of the most productive forwards potentially available. Brooklyn Nets standout Michael Porter Jr. revealed Wednesday that he has been playing through a “MCL little sprain” in his knee since Jan. 7, even as he delivers the best season of his NBA career.
Playing Through It and Producing
Porter Jr. has missed six games this season, though only three were injury-related. None were officially tied to his knee. Brooklyn listed him as probable for a Jan. 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers due to right knee soreness, but he played anyway, scoring 18 points on 7-of-20 shooting while missing all nine of his three-point attempts.
That game quietly foreshadowed what the numbers now show. Porter Jr.’s volume has remained elite since the injury, but his efficiency has slipped. On the season, the 27-year-old is averaging 25.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from three. Since Jan. 7, those figures have dipped to 44.6 percent overall and 36.2 percent from deep.
The output still places him firmly in All-Star territory, especially considering Brooklyn’s reliance on him. The Nets rarely win without Porter in the lineup, a reality both the team and the player appear to understand.
Head coach Jordi Fernández made it clear that availability has not come at the expense of medical caution.
“He had some discomfort, but he kept playing. He’s played all the way through,” Fernández said.
“We value our players’ health, and if it were something that didn’t allow him to play, we would do whatever it takes to figure that out. But he’s played, so I don’t think I have anything else to say from that.”
Trade Deadline Pressure Mounts
Porter’s breakout season has also placed him squarely on the trade market ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline. Multiple reports indicate that the Los Angeles Lakers could explore a deal, fueled by an existing relationship between the two franchises.
NBA insider Matt Moore wrote in his Hardwood Paroxysm Substack that Porter Jr.’s name has surfaced alongside Brooklyn center Nic Claxton.
“Have heard about a lot of talks between the Lakers and Nets the past two years and they did the DFS trade already so there’s a relationship,” Moore wrote.
“Claxton would be a very good get, but there’s also the possibility of their going in for MPJ.”
The fit is obvious on paper. Porter’s elite shotmaking would immediately elevate a Lakers offense in need of spacing. The obstacle is financial. Porter earns $38.3 million this season, a figure that makes any deal complex and potentially unrealistic without major roster surgery. It will also be interesting to see whether this injury news will have any effect on the potential trade package negotiations offered as we approach the trade deadline.
The Lakers have already shown their willingness to pull out of a deal for damaged good as last season they rescinded a trade for now-Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams due to bad medicals. Porter Jr. may have more overall upside compared to Williams, but his injury history wrap sheet is just as long. The Detroit Pistons and the Golden State Warriors have also been teams to watch in a potential Porter Jr. trade.
What Comes Next
Brooklyn reportedly remains hesitant to move Porter and may prefer to reassess his future after the NBA Draft. That patience aligns with a broader reality: Porter Jr. has rebuilt his value after arriving from Denver with questions attached, transforming himself into a legitimate No. 1 option.
His knee situation, back history, and current inability to play back-to-backs will factor into every decision. But when he’s on the floor, the equation stays simple. Michael Porter Jr. produces, the Nets compete, and his first All-Star appearance looks increasingly deserved.
The only question left is whether Brooklyn views this season as a foundation or a selling point. That paired with how Porter Jr. is able to hold up over the next few weeks may play critical factors into whether or not he will end up in the Purple and Gold, somewhere else or still on the Nets.