Trae Young Predicts Michael Porter Jr. Will Average Over 25 Points Next Season

The newly acquired Nets forward certainly has a reputation for being an offensive-minded player. During his time with the Denver Nuggets, Porter Jr. established himself as an elite sharpshooter and off-ball threat.

As the benefactor of some nifty passes, courtesy of Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic, Porter Jr. often found himself scoring easy baskets. But that shouldn't diminish his scoring identity.

The forward possesses an extremely versatile skill set. Denver opted to utilize him as a perimeter threat, limiting his scope for development. But Porter Jr. is capable of being a significant contributor from multiple spots on the floor.

The 27-year-old has the necessary tools to develop into an elite scorer. With the Nets, several internal sources also believe he could contend for the scoring title in the upcoming season.

Brooklyn's current situation only amplifies this possibility. After finishing 12th in the East last season, it was clear that the Nets were lacking in many departments. 

Since the era of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Nets have effectively been in a rebuild. Unfortunately, in this span of time, they have struggled to cultivate a reliable young core.

When considering their approach to negotiating with players such as Cam Thomas this offseason, the Nets are clearly directing their attention towards developing long-term flexibility.

With no franchise player in place, however, Michael Porter Jr. is capable of filling as the team's de facto star. Although this may be a huge ask from the forward at this stage, it may not be out of the question.

When Denver offered Porter Jr. his designated rookie extension, they viewed him as a star-caliber talent. While injuries and role restrictions may have limited his output, at 27 years old, the forward could still develop into a bona fide scoring threat.

Last season, the forward posted an average of 18.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game on shooting splits of 50.4% from the field and 39.4% from three-point territory. It is important to note that he recorded these figures while being the third, and often fourth, option on offense.

In Brooklyn, Porter Jr. will be the clear-cut first option. Given the limited playmaking resources on the roster, the forward will have more avenues to create scoring opportunities for himself. With a green light to broaden the scope of his offensive contributions, the 27-year-old could be primed to have a career year.