Considering that LeBron James doesn’t seem likely to choose the Warriors in free agency, it feels like Golden State still is one key roster move from contending in the Western Conference.
That roster move will not include a trade for Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. if Warriors coach Steve Kerr has anything to do with it.
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This sentiment stems from a report that Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor made Wednesday regarding what moves the Warriors could make if and when James signs elsewhere.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr reportedly doesn’t want to add Michael Porter Jr. to his roster. for the NY POST
“Sources say that Steve Kerr didn’t want MPJ in February, and there is little reason to believe he would want him now,” O’Connor wrote.
O’Connor didn’t add why Kerr didn’t want Porter back then. But the fact that Porter is a versatile, athletic wing who averaged 24.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game for the Nets last season indicates that it likely isn’t because of what Porter can do on the court.
Michael Porter Jr. (right) averaged more than 24 points for the Nets last season. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Michael Porter Jr. doesn’t look like he will be part of the Warriors’ plans. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
Instead, perhaps it is because Porter is known for saying outlandish things and has become one of basketball’s most polarizing players because of it. His ex-girlfriend Madison Pettis called him a “psychopath” earlier this year, and he called out teammate Cam Thomas for not talking to anybody in the Nets’ locker room.
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Kerr has done a great job managing the big personalities in the Warriors’ locker room since he became their head coach in 2014, which is a huge reason they’ve been so successful. Perhaps he views Porter as a liability in that regard.
Regardless of Kerr’s reasoning, it doesn’t sound like Porter will be the Warriors’ back-up plan once the James sweepstakes ends.
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