Michael Porter Jr. Adjusts to Brooklyn Life and New Role with the Nets

Dante Williams | Ejsports

Michael Porter Jr., the former Denver Nuggets forward, is adjusting to the fast pace and high expectations of playing in New York, but he's not doing it alone. With a familiar face on the sidelines — Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez, a former Denver assistant — Porter is beginning to find his rhythm in a new city and role. "That has been big for me," said Porter on Tuesday. "Just coming to a new city and feeling a little bit of being overwhelmed, just to have a guy as a head coach that I am working with every day, somebody like Jordi."

The Nets acquired Porter in a July trade that sent forward Cam Johnson to Denver, along with a 2032 first-round draft pick. With a youthful core — including five rookies taken in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft — the Nets are looking to Porter to become a major contributor on both ends of the floor. Last season, Porter averaged 18.2 points per game, shooting 50.4% from the field and 39.5% from three-point range, ranking third in scoring behind Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray for the Nuggets. Fernandez, who coached Porter in his first four NBA seasons, praised his versatility and scoring ability.

"He's an elite shooter ... great rebounder and great cutter," said Fernandez. "But 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." Porter also expressed excitement about teaming up with guard Cam Thomas, who averaged 24 points in limited action last season. Despite being unable to secure a long-term deal in free agency, Thomas returned to the Nets on a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer. Porter acknowledged Thomas’ scoring prowess, saying, "He is one guy that has been severely underappreciated in his ability to put a team on his back and score the ball."

Nets general manager Sean Marks echoed those sentiments, praising Thomas’ maturity during contract negotiations and dedication to offseason training.

"That's part of the business, maybe the ugly part of the business when you can't find a common ground," said Marks. "But at the same time he's developed, and the hours he's put in the gym, not in here but on his own, speak volumes. So, he's a Net. He knows that."

With a retooled roster and a new identity under Coach Fernandez, the Nets are hoping their blend of veteran talent and youthful energy — led by players like Porter and Thomas — will help them rebound from a disappointing 26-56 finish last season.