HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 04: Kevin Porter Jr. #3 of the Houston Rockets reacts after missing a shot in … [+] the second half of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Toyota Center on April 04, 2023 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesOn Tuesday, the Rockets traded guard Kevin Porter Jr. to the Oklahoma City Thunder, ending a controversial run with the team that saw him showcased as a focal point in its rebuild, relinquished of his starting point guard role over the summer, and eventually jettisoned following an incident of alleged domestic assault which now finds him facing criminal charges.
To make the public relations hit palatable, the Rockets are sending the Thunder, along with Porter, two second-round picks. Per reports, the Thunder will immediately waive Porter. The motivation for Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti to make this trade is to continue adding to his stockpile of draft assets.
Going back to the Rockets are guard Victor Oladipo and forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. Robinson-Earl, who averaged 7.2 points and 4.9 rebounds in 20.7 minutes per game over two seasons for the Thunder, could have some use in a thin Houston frontcourt. But the real motivation of this trade from Houston’s perspective is to shed Porter’s contract and completely cut ties, and maintain trade options heading towards the deadline due to the nature of Oladipo’s contract.
For Oladipo, it is his second stint with Houston; he was acquired from Indiana three seasons ago as part of the James Harden blockbuster trade that sent the former franchise icon to the Brooklyn Nets. Oladipo is on the books for $9.45 million this season, in 2023-2024, but will be an unrestricted free agent this upcoming summer. Along with the contracts of Jeff Green, Jock Landale, and Jae’Sean Tate, the Rockets have a considerable amount of salary in expiring contracts to be used in a trade this season, if they choose to go that route.
Porter is on the books this season for $16.8 million with $1 million guaranteed for next season if waived before the season opener. The Rockets originally structured his contract with non-guaranteed payments to hedge against the character concerns which have plagued him dating back to college.
After originally being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2019, Porter spent the better part of three seasons with the Rockets, averaging 17.2 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 32.6 minutes per game. In 2022-2023, Porter averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 assists, and 5.3 rebounds in 34.3 minutes per game. After drafting Amen Thompson with the fourth pick in last summer’s draft, and signing veteran guard Fred VanVleet to a multi-year contract, Rockets management had hoped that Porter could fill a role as a lead ball-handler and playmaker off the bench. It was not to be.
The NBA, per the league’s collective bargaining agreement, has the authority to place Porter on administrative leave.