Nets Coach Jordi Fernandez On Michael Porter Jr: ‘He Doesn’t Need To Be Anybody Else’

The Brooklyn Nets aren’t just counting on Michael Porter Jr. to contribute as a scorer. They’re hoping his championship pedigree can set the tone for a roster still trying to find its way.

Porter, acquired from Denver in a deal earlier this offseason, arrives as the only player on the Nets’ roster with a title ring. He won it with the Nuggets in 2023 and now finds himself in a much different environment, but one where his experience carries weight.

“He’s excited to be here. I’m excited to reunite with him,” said Brooklyn coach Jori Fernandez, who previously worked with Porter as an assistant in Denver (via the New York Post’s Brian Lewis). “We have history together. I loved my time with Michael. And I know he’s going to bring a lot. His work ethic is very good. He’s a pro, works really hard, so that’s going to be good for the young guys to see a guy like him that won a championship, and why.”

At 6-foot-10, Porter’s length and shooting make him a fit at either forward spot. Where he’ll slot in the rotation remains to be seen, though Fernandez made it clear that traditional positions won’t be a priority.

“We’ll play positionless outside of our center,” Fernandez said. “It’s not important who he’s on the floor with. It’s more about how he fits and where he can help us most.”

The bigger challenge may be getting Porter to fully step into his own game, outside the shadow of former MVP Nikola Jokic. While the spotlight in Brooklyn will be shared, Porter will have more room to operate and perhaps more responsibility.

“I don’t want him to be out of character. I just want him to be himself,” Fernandez added. “That’s why I’m very comfortable, because I’ve seen him get where he got, his career year, how he scores the ball, and the work he puts in every day. The only thing we need to do is get him adjusted to his new teammates … but I know who he is and how good he is going to be. And I want him to lead being Michael Porter. He doesn’t need to be anybody else.”

Brooklyn is still in transition, but with Porter on board, the Nets hope his presence will help accelerate the process, both on the scoreboard and in the locker room.