The Brooklyn Nets and forward Michael Porter Jr. are still discussing a possible contract extension, but general manager Sean Marks says neither side is under pressure to strike a deal before training camp begins.
“Yeah, I’ll leave the negotiations internal,” Marks said. “That’s obviously between the Nets and Mike and his agent. But they’re ongoing. The dialogue is ongoing. But again, we are in no hurry to do this. I don’t think he’s in any particular hurry either.”
Marks added that there is no deadline forcing either party’s hand. “If there’s a meeting point that we feel like, ‘Hey, this works for both sides,’ then that’ll happen. But as we’ve mentioned before, this is not something that there’s an expiry date on it in the next couple of months either. So we both have time. Both sides have time to figure this one out.”
Porter, 28, is entering the final year of a $40.8 million contract and will become an unrestricted free agent after the season if no extension is reached. He has been extension-eligible since July 6, and can sign a new deal at any point during the season, though he is not eligible for the full four-year, $234 million maximum.
Porter led Brooklyn in scoring last season during a career year, but his numbers dipped in the second half. Through January he averaged 25.6 points on 48.2 percent shooting and 39.8 percent from three-point range. After being left off the All-Star Game roster, he shot 40.9 percent (25.6 percent from three) and averaged 20.5 points over his final 14 appearances.
For his part, Porter downplayed the contract talk. “I have a great agent and I know him and Sean, they’ve been speaking some. But for me, I’m just excited to play basketball,” he said. “I never was a dude who played for a big contract or for the money. So for me, I’m just excited to play with these guys and be in Brooklyn and build this organization as one of the leaders.”
“I’ve voiced that I’d love to be in Brooklyn and that I’m enjoying playing with these guys,” Porter continued. “And I think we’ll be a lot better this year, obviously. … The way these young guys have gotten better just in one year, I’m excited to see what we can do. So that’s where my mind is at and I’m not even thinking about anything else.”
Marks said the team wants to see more consistency and all-around growth from Porter this season, both on the floor and as a leader in the locker room.
“For Mike to come in here, to own that opportunity that he had, have a great year, for us we’re looking for consistency from him,” Marks said. “We’re looking for him to take another step on the defensive end of it, rebounding. So just become more of a complete player on the court.”
Marks noted that the leadership expectation extends beyond Porter to other veterans on the roster. “Not just Mike — this goes for all the guys, specifically the guys who are a little older, who’ve seen it, been around. What’s their leadership look like? Can they take another step in that category? And Mike knows that. We’re expecting big things from not only himself and Moe [Wagner], and Keon [Ellis] and Julius [Randle]. … We’re asking them to lead by example.”
With no urgency from either side, Porter’s name is likely to surface in trade speculation as the season progresses and the deadline approaches.
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