{"id":173980,"date":"2026-01-22T15:28:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T20:28:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=173980"},"modified":"2026-01-22T15:28:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T20:28:09","slug":"report-throws-cold-water-lakers-michael-porter-jr-rumors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/01\/22\/report-throws-cold-water-lakers-michael-porter-jr-rumors\/","title":{"rendered":"Report Throws Cold Water on Lakers, Michael Porter Jr. Rumors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fans often say \u201cthe possession ends here\u201d with <\/span>Michael Porter Jr.<\/span><\/a>, and thanks to new reporting, some of the trade rumors do, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

Report Throws Cold Water on Lakers, Michael Porter Jr. Rumors<\/b><\/h2>\n

Siegel: Lakers Not Interested in MPJ<\/b><\/h3>\n

In a new batch of intel published Thursday, <\/span>ClutchPoints\u2019 Brett Siegel<\/span><\/a> confirmed that the Nets are hanging onto the 27-year-old Porter Jr., adding that the Lakers weren\u2019t looking to add him in the first place.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>While quickly on the topic of Porter, it is worth mentioning that the talk of the Los Angeles Lakers possibly throwing their hat in the mix for Porter isn’t a realistic possibility and something they do not have a desire to do, sources said. The Lakers have signaled that they do not want to take on big money at this time, regardless of how many years a player has left on their contract.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The 2023 NBA champion was traded from the Denver Nuggets to the Brooklyn Nets last July, and he\u2019s since enjoyed a career year despite the <\/span>Nets\u2019 tanking efforts<\/span><\/a>. In 34 games, Porter Jr. has averaged 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 48.1% from the field, 39.6% from three and 84.6% from the free-throw line. Despite being a standout scorer and perimeter marksman\u2014traits that would no doubt help the Lakers\u2014Porter would not solve the <\/span>team\u2019s defensive issues<\/span><\/a>, making a deal for him and his $38 million salary futile at best.<\/span><\/p>\n

The team\u2019s reluctance to \u201ctake on big money\u201d could also put them out of the running for Porter\u2019s teammate, <\/span>Nic Claxton<\/span><\/a>. The 6\u201911\u201d defensive anchor has averaged 12.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game for Brooklyn. And while he\u2019d be an upgrade over LA\u2019s starting center <\/span>Deandre Ayton<\/span><\/a>, Claxton is also in the middle of a <\/span>four-year, $97 million contract<\/span><\/a> that he <\/span>signed<\/span><\/a> in June of 2024.<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, between three <\/span>expiring contracts<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Rui Hachimura<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Maxi Kleber<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Gabe Vincent<\/span><\/a>), two limited forwards (<\/span>Jarred Vanderbilt<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Dalton Knecht<\/span><\/a>), and one tradable first-round pick, the team has the assets to make a solid upgrade\u2014no matter what \u201cLakers tax\u201d rivals try to impose.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Marcus Smart on Lakers\u2019 Road Trip Leading Up to Deadline<\/b><\/h3>\n

The 26-16 Lakers are currently on a grueling eight-game road trip, which will, ironically, end just before the Feb. 5 trade deadline on Feb. 3. After LA\u2019s comeback win in Denver, <\/span>Marcus Smart<\/span><\/a> addressed<\/span><\/a> the reality the team faces away from home.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s part of the business, unfortunately. You know, a lot of us have been through this, multiple years. So, you kind of get used to it. But it is difficult. \u2026 Because you just don\u2019t know. You build a relationship with the guy to the left and to the right, and then he could possibly be gone, or you could possibly be gone. So it\u2019s tough, but we\u2019re all professionals, and that\u2019s part of the business.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cThis stretch has been crazy for us,\u201d Smart continued. \u201cWe haven\u2019t been doing a very good job winning the games that we think we should. So for us, this is definitely going to be a good challenge for us, for us to get back on track.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lakers\u2019 Upcoming Road Slate<\/b><\/h3>\n

In addition to making moves, the Lakers will have several chances to improve their standing in the next couple weeks. The rest of their road stint is as follows, beginning with tonight\u2019s \u201cBattle of LA\u201d (all times Pacific).<\/span><\/p>\n