NBA Notes: Nets, Michael Porter Jr, Nuggets, Christian Braun, G League

Nets

Michael Porter Jr. made headlines recently when he suggested he’s taking his career one year at a time because of his injury history.

“Because of the injuries and stuff, I don’t know how much longer I really want to play,” he initially said.

Porter later clarified his comments, via Brian Lewis of the New York Post: “I wanna play as long as I can. It’s just easier in my head to be like, man, give it my all this year and when it’s over, see where I’m at mentally and reevaluate.”

Porter, who battled back issues early in his career, credits psychotherapist Nicole Sachs for helping him address the mental side of pain, which he says has kept him healthy in recent years.

Nuggets

After Nikola Jokic declared he plans to “be with the Nuggets forever,” Christian Braun told Mark Medina of Sportskeeda he shares that mindset.

Braun said he’s always been loyal to one team at each stage of his career and wants to keep winning in Denver.

“I know what it takes to win with this group and this organization,” he said. “Being a Nugget means a lot to me. I want to win as a Nugget. I don’t want to win anywhere else.”

Braun is eligible for a rookie scale extension through October 20 but said he’s focused on winning and will let his reps handle negotiations.

G League

The G League and the Next Gen Basketball Players Union (NGBPU) have agreed to terms on the league’s first-ever collective bargaining agreement, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN.

The deal includes salary increases and improved pay for players signed and waived from NBA rosters, along with fewer restrictions on player movement.

The NGBPU, founded in 2020, held its first General Assembly in 2024.

“This CBA negotiation represents a critical opportunity to elevate the professional basketball experience for our players,” union secretary-treasurer Yauhen Massalski said at the time.

The agreement still needs final approval from both sides.