Michael Porter Jr: Waived| Trade| Stats| Girlfriend| Contract

1. Trade, Not Waived — Clarifying the Move

Michael Porter Jr. (MPJ), a vital contributor for the Denver Nuggets and 2023 NBA champion, was not waived—he was traded. On June 30, 2025, the Nuggets sent Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cameron Johnson.

• Why the trade?
  Denver offloaded an expensive contract ($38.3M in 2025-26, $40.8M in 2026-27) to reduce luxury tax burdens and create roster flexibility. Johnson, although productive, had a smaller cap hit, making the deal financially advantageous for Denver ESPN.com.

• The Nets’ perspective:
  Brooklyn acquired a proven scorer in Porter Jr. with hopes that he can lead their young core, offering veteran presence and continuity. The added first-round pick signaled the Nets’ intent to build thoughtfully.

So, while media speculation may spin “waived” language loosely, Porter Jr. was definitely traded—a deal with clear strategic and financial motives for both teams.

2. Contract | Financial Dimensions

Porter Jr.’s contract plays a crucial role in the trade’s significance:

• Original deal:
  He signed a five-year extension with Denver in September 2021, reportedly worth around $172M, with potential to escalate to $207M if making All-NBA.

• Current obligations:
  For the 2025-26 season, he’s owed $38.3M, followed by $40.8M in 2026-27.

• Nets’ salary cap management:
  Brooklyn taking on this contract suggests they’re looking past short-term wins and are instead leveraging cap space to accumulate assets and talent while Parsons contend with the financial load.

3. On-Court Stats

Regular Season Highlights (2024-25):

According to ESPN, in 77 games:

• 18.2 points per game (PPG)

• 7.0 rebounds per game (RPG)

• 2.1 assists per game (APG)

• Field Goal %: 50.4%

• 3-Point %: 39.5%

Career Averages (NBA):

According to Spanish Wikipedia:

• 345 games, averaging 16.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.4 APG, with shooting splits of .500 FG, .406 3-PT, .795 FT.

Playoffs Performance:

• Across 75 playoff games, MPJ averaged 13.0 PPG, 6.8 RPG, overall shooting splits of .446 FG%, .374 3-PT%, .768 FT%.

Role Shift & Performance Variation:

In Denver, he thrived as the third scoring option behind Jokic and Murray. His averages over three seasons were 17.4 PPG on .492/.404/.795 splits, with .612 true shooting. However, in 22 games without Jokic, his output fell to 15.9 PPG on .440/.268/.707 splits, and .525 true shooting—highlighting the challenge of creating offense without a dominant playmaker.

4. Relationship / Girlfriend

Michael Porter Jr.’s romantic life has been more private since college. The last confirmed relationship was with actress/model Madison Pettis in 2017.

Recent media attention instead revolves around his personal views on relationships—not an actual partner. On recent podcasts, he shared some controversial perspectives, including:

• Describing women as a “vice” and planning a “celibacy journey”.

• Saying in dating, “you gotta bring something to the table”—positivity, mental support, ability to cook—statements that drew criticism for being dated or gendered.

In summary: as of now, there’s no public girlfriend; the focus is on his reflections and commentary regarding dating and relationships.

5. Controversy & Media Reaction

MPJ’s recent interviews sparked strong reactions:

• On the “One Night with Steiny” podcast, he admitted to “testing” women by playing Andrew Tate clips to gauge their beliefs—raising eyebrows due to Tate’s history of misogyny and legal issues.

• He also made traditional statements like expecting women to “cook, clean, and support mentally,” evoking backlash for reinforcing gender stereotypes. Yet, he also showed support for women’s basketball through actions like promoting Breanna Stewart’s sneakers.

• Some observers likened his controversial, outspoken persona to Kanye West, noting a shift from athlete to provocative public figure.

6. Looking Ahead: New Chapter in Brooklyn

Porter Jr. arrives in Brooklyn facing a new identity:

• Moving from a championship team to a rebuilding Nets squad, he emerges as a primary offensive option. Despite initial discomfort with NYC, he has quickly embraced the change, calling it a “whirlwind” but expressing excitement.

• He recognizes that to fit his expanded role, he must develop self-creation skills, adjust his training focus, and adapt his in-game decision-making.

This trade signifies professional evolution, both on the court (taking more responsibility) and off it (handling increased scrutiny and leadership expectations).