The Golden State Warriors’ 2025-26 season is effectively done. They’ve locked up a Play-In spot, but with a banged-up roster and limited momentum, a deep playoff run looks highly unlikely — let alone another Larry O’Brien Trophy in June.
Michael Porter Jr. Breaks Down His New Role With the Brooklyn Nets
That reality has fans shifting focus to the offseason earlier than expected. And if the Dubs want to maximize their final championship window with Stephen Curry, one bold move stands out: ditching the oft-injured Kristaps Porzingis in favor of a proven 6’10” scoring forward who once helped torment them as a Nuggets star.
Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley floated exactly that idea, arguing the Warriors should seriously consider trading out of the lottery for Michael Porter Jr. from the Brooklyn Nets.
“Would it be reckless for a team as badly in need of youth and athleticism as the Warriors to trade out of this loaded lottery?” Buckley wrote. “Maybe, but if the goal is competing at the highest possible level for however long Stephen Curry sticks around, who would help more: a lottery pick, an oft-injured Porziņģis and the inconsistent Podziemski, or Porter, a 6’10” scoring forward with a career 49.3/39.8/81.2 slash line?”
Porter’s per-game numbers and hefty pay with the Nets may look inflated on paper, but for Golden State, the fit could be ideal. The Warriors still crave elite spacing as long as Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green remain in the mix — plus reliable scoring punch to lighten Curry’s massive usage rate in his late 30s.
Buckley’s proposed blockbuster has the Warriors sending Porzingis (via sign-and-trade) and their No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to Brooklyn in exchange for Porter. Golden State reportedly eyed Porter during the 2025-26 trade season before pivoting elsewhere — now could be the time to revisit.
Porter is putting up big numbers this season with the Nets: 24.2 points per game on 46.3% shooting from the field and 36.3% from three-point range. At 6’10”, he’s a knockdown wing sniper who stretches the floor and creates gravity — exactly the type of “Nuggets killer” archetype that could give Curry the help he needs while addressing Golden State’s persistent need for three-point-oriented size on the wings.
The contract isn’t cheap — Porter is on a deal that totals around $179 million — but in a win-now push for Curry’s twilight years, the veteran production and shooting gravity may outweigh the cost and the risk of another injury-prone big like the 7-foot Unicorn.
With free agency looming faster than many realize, the seven-time champions can’t afford to stand pat. Targeting Porter again this offseason could be the aggressive swing that keeps the dynasty’s competitive spirit alive in the Bay Area — even if it means saying goodbye to Porzingis and future draft capital.
It’s a high-risk, high-reward bet on immediate firepower over long-term youth. But when you’re chasing one last title with Steph, “reckless” might just be the only logical play left.