Despite rebuilding Brooklyn having one of the worst records in the NBA, Michael Porter Jr. says he can see light at the end of the tunnel.
But with the Trade Deadline two days away — and the tanking Nets sure to get a number of offers for their sweet-shooting forward — will Porter make it to that light? Or be dealt away beforehand?
“Yeah, I’ve stated that I’m enjoying my time here, and I do see that the light at the end of the tunnel, and I do see the path that we’re trying to take,” said Porter, who returned from a personal leave for Tuesday’s tilt vs. the Lakers. “That’s something that’s out of my control. And wherever the wind blows, whatever the guys who run the organization want, then I’m down for.
“I know that every situation has it’s blessings and things to take away from. So I’ve stated that I enjoy my time here; and two more days, if I make it through two or three more days, I’ll be here. So, we’ll see; we’ll see what happens.”
The trade deadline is 3 p.m. Thursday.
And even though the perception around the league is that Brooklyn is not shopping Porter, he’ll surely draw interest.
With the Nets playing later that night in Orlando, that makes Tuesday’s tilt the last home game before the trade deadline. Though it seems increasingly unlikely, will it be Porter’s last as a Net? And how is he handling the hours leading up to it?
“Yeah, honestly, it’s not really in my thought. The trade isn’t really a thought in my day-to-day life, in my preparations; because it’s something that’s out of my control,” said Porter, 27. “If I dwell too much on things that I have no part to play in, that just makes your life stressful.
“So I try to just give that to God. I just know that whatever situation I’m thrown in — if it’s staying here, if it’s going somewhere else — I know that I’ll be able to adjust, and I’m still living the best life, so I can’t complain either way.”
Porter could have valid complaints, being traded from a perennial contender to a tanking team. He’d spent his first seven years in Denver, earning a title in 2023.
But having that winning experience — and the chance to impart some of it on his young teammates — is making this new situation tenable.
“I’m sure one of the main reasons why I find this situation bearable and I enjoy it and it’s fun is because of the fact that I’ve had some of the years of consistent winning with the Nuggets,” said Porter. “So to be in a situation now where it’s a little more developing and building and looking to the future, I’m probably a little bit more ok with it, just because I had some of the years of winning.
“So this new experience is (fun). I find the joy in it, and it’s fun for me. Losing is not fun, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I see the development, game-to-game. I see the young guys getting better, learning things. So that’s cool.”
Porter — who missed the prior two games for his grandmother’s funeral — came into Tuesday averaging 25.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.8 3-pointers, all career-highs.
Still, that wasn’t enough to keep him from getting snubbed for the All-Star reserves, Indiana’s Pascal Siakam getting the nod despite the Pacers (13-37) having an even worse record.
“I thought I had a chance, for sure,” said Porter, who could still be an injury replacement. “But I knew it was out of my control. I know the record probably plays a part into it, even though there’s guys that are in there that don’t have the most amazing record.
“So that was a tough day because I thought there was a chance; but today is a new day. I’m still blessed and I’m still highly favored, and I’m excited to be able to do what I do is, whether I got the All-Star or not.”