If you’ve ever watched Michael Porter Jr. pull up for a jumper, you know it looks... different. There is a specific kind of "glitch in the matrix" feel when a guy that big moves like a shooting guard. Honestly, it’s the reason he was the top recruit in the country back in high school. But lately, since his trade to the Brooklyn Nets in 2025, people are obsessing over the measurables again.
What is the actual Michael Porter Jr. height?
If you look at the back of a basketball card or a quick Google snippet, you’ll see 6'10". That’s the "official" number. But in the NBA, "official" is a bit of a moving target. For years, the league was basically the Wild West of height. Guys were adding two inches to look more intimidating, or in Kevin Durant's case, subtracting an inch to avoid being labeled a "seven-footer."
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Porter is right in the middle of that debate.
The Measurement Mystery: Shoes vs. No Shoes
Back in 2019, the NBA finally got tired of the lies. They started requiring teams to submit "certified" heights measured by team doctors without shoes. It exposed a lot of people. Some guys "shrank" overnight.
Michael Porter Jr. was an interesting case.
During the 2018 NBA Draft Combine, his official measurement came in at 6'9.5" without shoes. Now, in a pair of modern basketball sneakers—which usually add about 1.25 to 1.5 inches—he easily clears the 6'11" mark. This is why you’ll see him standing next to traditional centers and looking them right in the eye.
He’s huge.
But height isn't just about where the top of your head hits the ruler. For a guy like MPJ, it’s the standing reach and the release point.
- Standing Reach: Porter boasts an 8'11" to 9'0" standing reach.
- Wingspan: His arms stretch out to 7'0".
- Release Point: Because he jumps so high on his jumper, he’s basically shooting from 10 feet in the air.
It's literally unblockable.
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Why 6'10" Matters for the Brooklyn Nets
Since landing in Brooklyn, Porter’s role has shifted. In Denver, he was often the third option behind Jokic and Murray. He was a "spacer." In Brooklyn, he's being asked to be the guy. He’s currently averaging over 25 points per game in the 2025-26 season, and a lot of that is because defenders simply cannot reach his shot.
If you put a small forward on him, he shoots over them. If you put a center on him, he blows by them.
The Physical Toll
We can't talk about his size without talking about his back. It’s the elephant in the room. Porter has had multiple microdiscectomy surgeries. When you are 6'10" and have a history of spinal issues, every landing makes fans hold their breath.
Interestingly, he’s been remarkably durable lately. He played over 80 games in the 2023-24 season and has stayed mostly on the court for the Nets. Some experts, like those discussing his health on various sports podcasts, suggest he’s changed his "loading" patterns. He doesn't hunt for dunks as much as he used to. He uses that Michael Porter Jr. height to settle for high-efficiency jumpers instead.
It’s smarter. It’s why he’s still playing at 27.
Comparing MPJ to the "Unicorns"
People love to compare him to Kevin Durant. It makes sense. Both are tall, skinny, and have elite shooting mechanics.
But they aren't the same.
Durant is a bit more "wiggly" with the ball. Porter is more of a "pure" shooter. He’s more like a giant Klay Thompson than a mini-KD. If you look at the stats from the first half of the 2025-26 season, Porter is taking nearly 10 threes a game.
"He’s a 7-footer in a shooter’s body," one scout noted during the Nets’ recent road trip.
That’s basically the best way to describe him. He doesn't play like a big man, but he has the "verticality" (to use an annoying coaching word) of one.
The Trade Value of a 6'10" Sniper
Right now, as we approach the 2026 trade deadline, Porter’s name is everywhere. The Golden State Warriors and the Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly sniffing around. Why? Because you can't teach 6'10".
In the modern NBA, "length" is the only thing that matters on defense. Even if MPJ isn't an All-Defensive team candidate, his sheer size allows him to disrupt passing lanes and grab boards. He’s averaging about 7.5 rebounds this season. That’s purely a result of being taller than the guy next to him.
If Brooklyn decides to "tank" for the 2026 draft, moving a 6'10" elite shooter is their best path to getting a haul of picks.
What to Watch For Next
If you’re following MPJ’s career, don’t just look at the points. Look at how he’s using his frame.
- Watch the defensive switches: Is he staying in front of smaller guards?
- Check the rebound numbers: If he’s hitting 8+ boards, the Nets usually win.
- Monitor the minutes: If the Nets start capping him at 30 minutes, it might mean the back is acting up again.
The reality is that Michael Porter Jr. height is his greatest gift and his biggest curse. It gives him the unblockable jumper, but it also puts immense pressure on a back that has already been through the ringer.
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For now, he’s one of the most efficient scorers in the world. Enjoy the show while the "glitch" is still active.
Actionable Insight: If you're analyzing MPJ for fantasy or betting, always check the "back-to-back" schedule. Even though he's healthy, the Nets often use "Height Management" (rest) for their 6'10" star on the second night of consecutive games to preserve his long-term value.