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Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. has been placed at No. 20 on Bleacher Report's list of the NBA's top shooters heading into the 2026-27 campaign. The ranking highlights a player whose reputation as a high-volume sharpshooter has followed him throughout his career.
Porter, who joined Brooklyn two summers ago, was brought in partly for his offensive capabilities. The Nets now possess one of the league's more proficient outside threats, even as his role has evolved.
"Michael Porter Jr. isn't any worse of a shooter today than he was during his first few seasons, but he's a good case study for what happens when a player has to go from specialist to top option," Bleacher Report's NBA staff noted.
During his early years with the Denver Nuggets, Porter benefited from playing alongside center Nikola Jokic. That partnership helped him become an elite catch-and-shoot weapon, as he connected on at least 39.5 percent of his three-point attempts in every healthy season with Denver. He reached a career-best 44.5 percent from beyond the arc in 2020-21.
After moving to Brooklyn, Porter took on a much larger self-creation role. He thrived as a scorer, averaging 24.2 points per game, but his shooting efficiency dipped in the process.
In the 2025-26 season, the 28-year-old forward posted averages of 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting 46.3% from the field and 36.3% from three-point range. It marked his first season as the primary scoring option for a team after spending his first seven seasons in Denver alongside Jokic and guard Jamal Murray.
Looking ahead to 2026-27, Porter will play next to forward Julius Randle, whom the Nets acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves via trade this past summer. While Porter's shooting numbers last season were below his career averages, Randle's presence as a ball-handler should create more open looks and easier scoring opportunities for Porter.
Key Analysis
Porter's ranking at No. 20 reflects both his proven track record as a long-range threat and the challenges he faced as a go-to scorer. With Randle now in the fold, Porter could see his efficiency rebound as he returns to a more complementary offensive role.
Originally reported by yahoo.