The Brooklyn Nets put their best efforts into developing Cameron Johnson and traded him for a max-contract star, Michael Porter Jr., in the summer. Early December marked the five-month anniversary, and Wednesday morning, Erik Slater, a beat reporter for the Brooklyn Nets on ‘ClutchPoints’, reported that the team's front office may analyze the deals on the table for Porter Jr.
Although the Nets should be offered a proposal from the LA Clippers in their best interests, Lawrence Frank could not have predicted Porter Jr.’s all-star-level averages in year seven when he was passed over in the 2018 draft.
Frank made a short-sighted decision by drafting Jerome Robinson ahead of Porter Jr. out of fear of all the injury concerns in the way, and, as anyone would guess, the Clippers’ executive regrets it.
Thus, seven seasons later, Porter Jr. is ironically the median of the Clippers’ trade deadline dreams.
The LA Clippers need the scoring that Michael Porter Jr. specializes in
While the numbers of 25.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists with the Brooklyn Nets (7-18) may be perceived as empty stats, Michael Porter Jr. was producing on the Denver Nuggets, where he won his first championship; he shone for two-thirds of his time there.
Porter Jr. would move well off the ball and maximize the backdoor in Denver, but with no Nikola Jokic on the Nets, the veteran wing is creating shots as he did as a freshman in three games for the Missouri Tigers.
Shot creation has always been his top attribute, and the LA Clippers need his tough fadeaway making ability. He has trained his mind as a scorer, particularly a three-point shooter, to perfect the muscle memory in his jumpshot.
Hence, when he shoots, the motion and result of his jumper is unhinged by a defender's hands in his face.
Moreover, it is never too late to right a wrong; LA should man up, stick their hands out, and trade for the wing that should have been a Clipper in 2018. He is the NBA’s golden third option, and was for the Nuggets with Jokic and Jamal Murray leading the Mile High City through years of wins and highlight reels.
That said, no one would ever be faulted for chasing a dream, and because Porter Jr.'s is Tyronn Lue's on the Clippers, they should prioritize his market. He deserves it amid his stardom at just 27.