Ever since Michael Porter Jr. got traded to the Brooklyn Nets , he has been on a media run that has probably sent his PR team scrambling — talking about Nikola Jokic 's NSFW farewell message to him is just one of the examples.
However, in a vlog posted on his "Curious Mike" YouTube channel, Porter Jr. revealed a serious goal while working out with Trae Young , saying that he aims high as he starts a new chapter at Brooklyn in the upcoming 2025-26 season.
"He's trynna get back to the All-Star game. I'm trying to be my first-time All-Star. We're trying to get better today, " he said while the two sat on the bench during a break.
A crucial piece in the Denver Nuggets ' 2023 championship run, Porter Jr. was traded to the Nets in June along with an unprotected 2032 first-round pick. Meanwhile, the Nuggets, looking to rebuild and maximize Jokic's prime years, received forward Cameron Johnson and a 2032 first-round pick.
During his time with the Nuggets, Porter Jr. was an important part of the team's offense. He played as the third option behind Jokic and Jamal Murray and served as the team's primary sharpshooter. In the regular season last year, he averaged 18.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in 33 minutes of play.
The 27-year-old has joined a younger team led by Cam Thomas , alongside Nic Claxton and Terance Mann . But the scoring load will be placed mainly on him and Thomas, with the former Nugget expected to fill the offensive void left by Johnson.
"New Net Michael Porter Jr . should fill some of Johnson's shotmaking duties, but he's not much of an initiator, which means there will be ballhandling opportunities available to the Nets' young backcourt," ESPN writer Zach Cram wrote .
Working out alongside MPJ, Young said he could easily achieve his goal. He is well aware that the Nets could potentially use him as a go-to scorer, with the Atlanta Hawks star even boldly predicting his numbers this season.
"You're averaging 25-plus [points] this year… 25-plus easy!" Young said.
With the lack of scoring options, The Athletic columnist David Aldridge said that Porter Jr. will have the green light to score, making Young's prediction plausible.
"Someone has to score on bad teams, so Porter Jr. will have the green light from jump while he's at Barclays Center," Aldridge wrote .
Porter Jr. has a lot to prove after being labeled a scapegoat for Denver's heartbreaking second-round exit against the Oklahoma City Thunder . But for now, he will continue working until the NBA season officially starts in October, eager to rebuild himself in a new city.
"So, I'm really excited about this new chapter out here in Brooklyn," he said . "You know, we just have a way of playing — how Joker plays, how Jamal plays, that two-man game is very potent. That's how we play and I'm so appreciative of the way we play. We ended up winning a championship, but I do feel like my ceiling in Denver kind of plateaued a little bit and I'm excited for this next chapter in Brooklyn for sure."
The Nets finished last season with only 26 wins. With Porter Jr. on the team, they hope to at least fight for a spot in the Play-In tournament.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
