The Utah Jazz aren't getting Michael Porter Jr. It's an interesting thought with the ongoing narrative that they plan to flip the switch next season, but the Brooklyn Nets have no reason to. He's been awesome for them this season.
Porter's in line to make his first All-Star team this year, averaging 25.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while shooting 48.2% from the field and almost 40% from three. He's clearly reached a new level, but because the Nets have been downright terrible this year, many have floated the idea of capitalizing on his value.
Boy Jazz fans, does that sound familiar?
Despite all the speculation, every indication is that they will keep him.
Windy on MPJ:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) January 30, 2026
"I know everybody thinks that Porter's available, that would be news to me. I have not heard that he is available. If he is available wait for Shams to tell me because I haven't heard that" pic.twitter.com/z9i24WtGGI
If one team would understand why the Nets would go in this direction, it's the Jazz. They took someone who has proven he had talent, but never quite figured out how to be a star and well, turned him into a franchise cornerstone.
Sure, they're not reaping the rewards from what he has done, but they have every reason to believe that, when the time comes, he'll be a vital part of their next playoff contender. That might not be tomorrow, but it's not like they will be in a rebuild forever.
The Jazz have pretty much the exact same approach with Lauri Markkanen. It's been almost four years since he first arrived in Utah, so some are getting restless. However, he had a similar ascent as a Jazzman, and because he has mostly kept this up, he's given Utah no reason to get rid of him.
If they're not interfering with the tank, why get rid of them?
Many have clamored for the Jazz and Nets to trade Markkanen and Porter respectively because it will make them worse, thus increasing their odds of getting a franchise player in the lottery. However, because both teams are both pretty bad even with them on the roster, getting rod of them to furtherensure the tank isn't a foolproof strategy anyway.
Why not have your cake and eat it? It's not fun to watch now, but this is the last season Utah intends to tank, so they are in line to have prime Markkanen along with a possible franchise talent to go with their other talented players. The Nets are positioning themselves to do the same.
Not everyone will agree with that and it might not work out in the end, but that doesn't mean it's a bad strategy. It's cool to see the Markkanens and Porters of this world figure things out, just like the teams who brought them to this level deserve to see just how good they can make them long-term.