In a league known for drama, breaking news, and emotional reactions, Michael Porter Jr. delivered one of the chillest trade responses in NBA history.
The 6’10” forward was mid-flight to Saint-Tropez when he learned he’d been traded from the Denver Nuggets to the Brooklyn Nets, and instead of panicking or calling his agent in a frenzy, he simply processed the news and took a nap.
“I kind of flipped the script in my head pretty quick, honestly,” Porter told reporters at Summer League. “I wasn’t like a super anxious guy or anything like that. So on the plane when I found out, I kind of just, like, well, I’m traded, and kind of just took a nap afterwards”.
Michael Porter Jr. on his reaction to being traded from the Nuggets to the Nets 😅
“Honestly, I’m not like a super anxious guy or anything like that. So on the plane when I found out, I was kind of just like, ‘Well, I’m traded,’ and took a nap afterwards.”
(via @erikslater_) pic.twitter.com/k63ogtseZB
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 14, 2025
The trade sent Porter and an unprotected first-round pick to Brooklyn in exchange for Cameron Johnson, marking the end of Porter’s six-year run in Denver. Drafted in 2018, he became a key contributor to the Nuggets’ 2023 championship team and averaged 18.2 points and 7.0 rebounds last season. But with Denver reshaping its roster around Nikola Jokić, Porter’s hefty contract and injury history made him expendable.
Still, Porter isn’t bitter.
“I love Denver. I love my time there, but I’m excited for this new chapter,” he said.
One silver lining? He’ll be reunited with Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez, who previously served as an assistant in Denver. Porter believes the familiarity will ease his transition:
“I think it’ll be an easy shift for me with the principles. And yeah, he’s a great guy and a great coach. So it’ll be a great fit”.
The moment has already become a viral meme, with fans dubbing Porter “the most relaxed man in basketball.” And in a sport where trades often spark chaos, his nap-at-30,000-feet reaction is a refreshing reminder that sometimes, the best move is simply to rest and reset.
