URGENT UPDATE: Michael Porter Jr. is officially adapting to life with the Brooklyn Nets as he reunites with coach Jordi Fernandez, a former assistant from his days with the Denver Nuggets. The 27-year-old forward expressed his relief at having familiar support in a bustling New York environment. “That has been big for me,” Porter stated earlier today. “Just coming to a new city and feeling a little bit overwhelmed, just to have a guy as a head coach that I am working with every day.”
The Nets acquired Porter, along with a 2032 first-round pick, in a trade for forward Cam Johnson this past July. As the team looks to revitalize after a disappointing 26-56 record last season, Porter is set to become a key player alongside Cam Thomas, who led Brooklyn with 24 points per game despite battling injuries.
Fernandez, who coached Porter during his initial four seasons, believes the sharpshooter is ready to take on new challenges. “I am going to ask him to do things he’s never done before, and for those reasons I think he’s up for the challenge,” he noted. Last season, Porter averaged 18.2 points on 50.4% shooting from the field and 39.5% from beyond the arc while playing behind stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in Denver.
Porter shared his excitement about stepping into a primary role, reflecting on how he thrived during summer pickup games when Jokic and Murray weren’t present. “I experienced it in Denver when we played the Nets. Cam, he’s a tough cover,” Porter praised, highlighting Thomas’s underrated scoring ability.
Nets general manager Sean Marks acknowledged Thomas’s hard work during the offseason as the team aims to rebound from consecutive playoff misses. “He’s approached this in a very mature manner,” Marks commented on Thomas’s recent negotiations. “The hours he’s put in the gym… speak volumes. So, he’s a Net. He knows that.”
With the stage set for a new chapter in his career, Porter’s transition in Brooklyn is not just about basketball; it’s about overcoming the pressures of the Big Apple. As the Nets prepare for the upcoming season, fans will be watching closely to see how this dynamic unfolds.
Stay tuned for more updates on Michael Porter Jr.’s journey with the Brooklyn Nets as the season approaches!