NBA trade proposal sends Michael Porter Jr. to Warriors

The Warriors could use another proven scorer. The Nets could use more future flexibility.

So naturally, somebody has connected the dots.

Sai Mohan of Heavy floated a hypothetical trade proposal that would send Michael Porter Jr. and Terance Mann to Golden State in exchange for Jimmy Butler and a protected 2030 first-round pick.

Under the proposal:

Warriors receive: Michael Porter Jr., Terance Mann

Nets receive: Jimmy Butler, 2030 first-round pick (top-20 protected)

Again, this is merely a proposed deal, not one that has been reported as being discussed.

For Golden State, the appeal would be obvious. Porter gives the Warriors another high-level perimeter scorer who can play without dominating the ball and stretch the floor alongside Stephen Curry.

Brooklyn’s motivation would be considerably different.

Butler will be 37 next season, is coming off a torn ACL and is owed more than $56 million. But he’s also entering the final year of his contract, meaning the Nets could clear significant money after the season while adding another future draft asset.

Mohan’s proposal also has Brooklyn moving off Mann’s contract, which runs through 2027-28.

The bigger question is whether that return would be enough for Porter.

He was Brooklyn’s leading scorer last season and remains a highly efficient offensive player in his prime. If the Nets decide to move him, it’s reasonable to wonder whether another contender might offer stronger draft compensation.

Still, the concept makes some sense.

Golden State gets another scorer for its current window. Brooklyn sacrifices short-term talent for flexibility and another future pick.

Whether either side would actually bite is another matter entirely.