Michael Porter Jr. Is Personally Trying to Steal Peyton Watson From the Nuggets

Michael Porter Jr. isn’t waiting on the Nets front office to make moves. He’s doing the recruiting himself — and he’s not being subtle about it.

The Brooklyn Nets forward went public with his pitch for former Denver Nuggets teammate Peyton Watson during an appearance at Fanatics Fest in New York. Porter didn’t just say he wants Watson in Brooklyn. He also predicted the young forward is about to get paid. Big.

“He’s about to sign for $130 million,” Porter said. “I’m trying to get him in Brooklyn, though.”

He didn’t stop there. Porter shouted out the Nets fanbase directly, saying “Brooklyn fans, shout out to P.Y., man.”

Watson, for his part, played it cool when asked about his future. “I don’t know yet, bro,” he said. “It’s not even in my hands. I’m a restricted free agent.”

That restricted tag is the whole problem for Brooklyn — or any other team that wants him. Denver tendered Watson a qualifying offer, so they get to match whatever offer sheet he signs. The Nuggets have the final say, no matter how many zeros the Nets put on the table.

Reports have put Watson’s market anywhere from four years and $90 million up to the $130 million range Porter mentioned. Denver’s hesitation? Their luxury tax situation is already a mess, and paying Watson top dollar would make it worse. The Nuggets are reportedly reluctant to go that high.

Watson has turned himself into a legit two-way piece for Denver. He emerged as one of the league’s better catch-and-shoot forwards last season while giving them rim protection and versatile defense alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. That’s the kind of player every contender wants.

Porter and Watson spent three seasons together in Denver before Porter was traded to Brooklyn last summer in a deal that sent Cameron Johnson to the Nuggets. They’ve stayed close since the split. Word is they vacationed together in Europe earlier this offseason.

The real question is whether Brooklyn can actually put together a competitive offer. Reports suggest the Nets haven’t been aggressively pursuing Watson in restricted free agency. So far, the front office seems content to let the market play out.

But Porter isn’t waiting on them. He’s out there working the room, hoping his old running mate becomes his new one in Brooklyn. Whether that’s enough to get a deal done? That’s not up to him.