TITLE: Porter’s Hot Streak Keeps Nets Winning, Raises Trade Speculation
SLUG: porters-surge-nets-winning-trade-talk
CONTENT:
Brooklyn’s plan to position itself near the top of the 2026 NBA Draft could be in jeopardy thanks to Michael Porter Jr.’s recent form, and league sources tell The New York Post the forward might be shopped again before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Porter has appeared in 13 games since Cam Thomas strained his left hamstring, with the Nets going 6-7 overall and 3-0 in his last three outings. The 6’10” forward returned from a one-game absence Saturday and dominated New Orleans, finishing with 35 points on 14-of-23 shooting, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block in 33 minutes. His plus-31 led all players.
“He makes his teammates’ lives better,” head coach Jordi Fernández said. “When he spaces, cuts, rebounds and keeps moving, it’s good for everybody else. His positive energy is contagious.”
Through 19 games, Porter owns career highs of 25.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting .496 from the field, .392 from three and .818 at the line.
Claxton records second triple-double
Center Nic Claxton continued his strong campaign against the Pelicans, compiling 14 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his second triple-double of the season. The 26-year-old is averaging a personal-best 4.5 assists. “The ball was really moving,” Claxton said. “These past three games we’ve been pretty solid and have a lot we can build on.”
Thomas’ return still weeks away
Thomas, sidelined since mid-November, has resumed on-court activity but is expected to miss at least two more weeks. Fernández acknowledged the challenge of reintegrating the fifth-year guard, whose offense is often isolation-heavy. “When he comes back, it’s on me to figure out how we introduce him,” the coach said. “The most important thing is always the group.”
G League stint boosts rookie Saraf
Rookie guard Ben Saraf, 19, has shown progress after a brief assignment with Long Island. Turnovers remain a concern, yet Fernández applauded the Israeli guard’s willingness to learn. “He went and played like an NBA player,” Fernández noted. Saraf has appeared in five games since being recalled.
Source: Hoops Rumors
