NBA Rumors: Nets, Michael Porter Jr., Raptors, Pelicans, Cavs

Nets

Michael Porter Jr. may be eligible for a contract extension this offseason, but rival teams continue to keep an eye on his situation with the Nets.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (via Hoops Rumors’ Luke Adams) executives around the league view Porter as a potential trade candidate despite his recent arrival with the Nets.

Porter is entering the final year of his current deal and is set to earn $40.8 million in 2026-27.

As Scotto noted, some rival evaluators aren’t convinced the 28-year-old forward fits Brooklyn’s long-term timeline as the franchise continues to build around a younger core.

Scotto also reported that the Warriors explored a possible pursuit of Porter before the trade deadline. However, Golden State’s current cap situation could make any future pursuit more difficult.

Scotto added that Nets guard Terance Mann was involved in some of those prior discussions, though his contract situation complicated negotiations.

Mann remains highly regarded within the organization and is viewed as a positive locker-room presence, according to Scotto.

Raptors

The Raptors may have several important financial decisions looming this offseason.

According to Scotto, forward Sandro Mamukelashvili is expected to decline his player option and enter unrestricted free agency in search of a substantial raise.

Scotto reported that rival teams believe Mamukelashvili could command a significant portion of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, leading some around the league to wonder whether Toronto will ultimately be able to retain him.

Meanwhile, Scotto noted that rival executives view Gradey Dick as a logical trade candidate if the Raptors decide they need additional breathing room beneath the luxury-tax line.

Dick is entering the final year of his rookie-scale contract and is coming off a disappointing season.

Still, the 22-year-old remains young enough that teams could view him as a bounce-back candidate.

Pelicans

The Pelicans continue to explore ways to get back into the lottery.

As we detailed in a separate report earlier Wednesday, Scotto reported that New Orleans is attempting to acquire a lottery pick and is believed to have interest in a specific prospect projected to come off the board in the top 10.

The Pelicans currently don’t own a first-round selection after last year’s trade-up maneuver, making any move back into the lottery a potentially expensive proposition.

RELATED: Pelicans reportedly exploring path back into lottery

Cavaliers

Dean Wade is expected to have a market in free agency.

As we noted in a separate story, Scotto reported that multiple teams with access to the non-taxpayer mid-level exception are expected to show interest in the Cavaliers forward.

That could create a challenge for a Cleveland team already operating near the top of the league’s payroll structure.

League sources have consistently indicated the Cavs would prefer continuity around their core. But as Scotto reported, retaining Wade may become increasingly difficult if competing offers begin to materialize once free agency opens.

RELATED: Cavaliers could face challenge retaining Dean Wade in free agency