As NBA players integrate themselves with the media, they are on the cusp of putting potential earnings at risk.
Three years ago, Michael Porter Jr. signed a five-year extension with the Denver Nuggets worth $179.3 million. While he is a very good player, one of the best floor-spacers in the entire NBA, he has never been worth nearly $40 million a season.
The Brooklyn Nets gave up Cameron Johnson in a trade for Porter Jr. this summer, although the pot was sweetened with a distant first-round pick.
His limited skillset will ensure that he will likely never get close to the max ever again. He is a reliable third option on a title team, as demonstrated in 2023, although his highest-earning days are nearly behind him.
Of course, his off-court comments haven’t exactly helped his case as a positive locker room presence, and his inevitable financial slide should serve as a warning to other young players.
Porter Jr. Is Laying a Blueprint for Young Stars Not to Follow
The Nuggets’ public relations team should get a raise.
Since being traded from the Nuggets, Porter has gotten on a microphone and said, “I’m not saying I’m a misogynist or anything but I’ll throw on some Andrew Tate and see how they’ll react…I’ll bring up conversations and play like devil’s advocate just to see how this girl thinks about certain things.”
As if that wasn’t enough, he called women “his vice,” or as he refers to them, “females.”
While his comments are not nearly as harmful as Meyers Leonard using a slur on a stream or Karl Malone’s deplorable off-court behavior, openly claiming to be an Andrew Tate fan isn’t exactly a great way to endear himself to his teammates.
Proving that Porter Jr. is not popular with his teammates, the only thing Nikola Jokic told him upon hearing that he was traded was, “Make sure you wear a condom out there.” According to Porter Jr., that’s the only message the three-time All-Star sent.
Not exactly friendly.
While Porter Jr. will certainly get a new contract when he hits free agency in the summer of 2027, it won’t be as lucrative as his current deal, and he isn’t helping his case.
Porter Jr. is just one example of a player falling into these pitfalls. While I’m sure a lot of fans don’t find an issue with players “speaking their minds” on their own podcasts, keep in mind that if a front office or owner finds you (borrowing from Porter Jr.’s description of women here) “low value,” you’ll be paid as such.
Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson host The Roomates Show, generally a wholesome podcast that has only boosted their popularity, same with Jason and Travis Kelce with New Heights.
Porter Jr.’s Curious Mike podcast hasn’t been family-friendly as of late, and there is reason to believe that “immature” behavior can—and already has—affected earnings.
Jeremy Sochan has been compared to Dennis Rodman, and fans have quickly fallen in love with his flourishing personality both on and off the court. However, as the San Antonio Spurs look to build a capable core around Victor Wembanyama, some of his behaviors have cast some doubt, and fans have taken notice.
While Sochan’s antics with his girlfriend inspire more confidence than “throwing on some Andrew Tate,” the constant access players allow into their lives has the chance to cause some very real financial consequences.
It might be best to tread lightly.
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