Curry’s Injury Sparks Trade Buzz as Warriors Weigh Costly Pursuit of Michael Porter Jr.

Stephen Curry’s quad injury, which will sideline him for “around a week,” according to ESPN, has intensified trade discussions surrounding the Golden State Warriors. Though Curry is expected to return soon, league insiders believe the Warriors may still look to strengthen their roster, aware that the 37-year-old star has only so many elite seasons left. With their championship window narrowing, Golden State appears increasingly motivated to make a significant move.

This week, Bleacher Report floated a bold scenario in which the Warriors pursue Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. The proposed deal would come at a steep price: Buddy Hield, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and a 2026 first-round pick heading to Brooklyn in exchange for Porter. While costly, the move could reshape the Warriors’ supporting cast in a way that better complements Curry.

BR analyst Zach Buckley outlined why Porter could be the missing piece Golden State has long sought. “The Warriors could use someone who makes quicker decisions with the basketball and helps better space the floor. Someone like Porter, who was an ultra-efficient play-finisher alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in Denver. … Porter’s shot-making could be godsend for Golden State, which has struggled to find scoring around Stephen Curry.”

Porter’s résumé strengthens that argument. Over his past three seasons playing with Jokic and Murray, he averaged 17.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, shooting an impressive 49.2% from the field and a blistering 40.1% from beyond the arc. His efficiency and size at 6-foot-9 could give the Warriors a much-needed boost, especially beside Curry and Jimmy Butler. Compared to Kuminga, a career 32.4% three-point shooter, Porter offers considerably more spacing.

Head coach Steve Kerr has often avoided lineups featuring Draymond Green, Butler and Kuminga together due to limited perimeter shooting. Inserting Porter into Kuminga’s spot could restore balance—maintaining size while increasing offensive efficiency.

The Warriors’ past championships underscore the importance of elite support around Curry. In all four title runs, he played alongside Klay Thompson, and for two of them, Kevin Durant. With Thompson now in Dallas and Durant long gone, Golden State’s replacements have struggled to deliver. Moody has shown inconsistency, Kuminga’s perimeter impact remains minimal, and Hield’s drop from 37.0% to 31.0% from deep this season has further strained the offense.

For a franchise determined to extend Curry’s championship window, parting with Moody, Kuminga, Hield, and a first-round pick for Michael Porter Jr. may be a hefty price—but one that could realign the roster around their superstar before time runs out.