Nets Face Decisions on Porter, Suns Rookie Turns to Gobert, Magic Project Future Rotation
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Nets
The Brooklyn Nets have yet to determine whether Michael Porter Jr. will be part of their long-term plans. Entering the final season of his current contract, the 28-year-old forward could seek roughly $40 million per year on his next deal. Sameer Kumar of Nets on SI wrote that Brooklyn, which remains focused on future assets and salary-cap flexibility under general manager Sean Marks, might ultimately benefit more from trading Porter than from committing to an expensive extension.
Suns
Rookie center Khaman Maluach is leaning on four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert as he navigates his first NBA offseason. Following another productive Summer League outing, the 7-foot-2 big man said he contacted Gobert to learn about the veteran’s conditioning routine and offseason habits.
“I reached out to Rudy,” Maluach told reporters via ClutchPoints. “I asked him how he keeps up with his body, what he does throughout the summer and just really learn from him.”
Maluach has averaged 19.5 points and 12.8 rebounds in Las Vegas while stressing that the mental aspect of basketball is “almost 90 percent” of the game.
Magic
With training camp still months away, Magic on SI offered an early projection of Orlando’s 2026-27 rotation. Jeremy Brener expects a starting five of Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr.
The forecasted second unit features Anthony Black, Jevon Carter, Tristan da Silva, Noah Penda and veteran center Nikola Vucevic. Brener noted that the club’s depth could lead to intense competition for minutes throughout the season.
Source: Hoops Wire
