CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland Cavaliers agreed to a deal to send the talented but troubled swingman Kevin Porter Jr. to Houston Rockets in exchange for a future runoff choice, sources told cleveland.com.
The second round is protected in the top 55 and is unlikely to broadcast, sources say. However, sources say, the Rockets will stay with Porter with one of their commercial exceptions, which allows the Cavs to withdraw Porter’s remaining salary – $ 1.71 million for this year and $ 1.78 million guaranteed for 2021- 22 that was part of a contract option, Cavs exercised last month.
The unofficial move also opens up a vacancy on the list – and enough flexibility below the luxury tax – for the Cavs to try to hire a reserve owner, while Matthew Dellavedova remains out indefinitely because of a concussion.
Since the explosion on Friday night in the Cavaliers’ locker room, the front desk was examining various trade possibilities.
Although disappointed with the need to leave Porter, who was the 30th choice in the 2019 NBA Draft and who was once considered a cornerstone of that reconstruction, the Cavs hoped to find a trading partner instead of dismissing him immediately. They also looked for good situations and believe that the presence of assistant coach John Lucas, who has a history of working with troubled players, can help Porter make a comeback in Houston.
Cavs can now officially move on and focus on players who have acted as mature professionals and played a role in a 7 to 7 start better than expected.
“We understand,” a player told cleveland.com on Monday. “It needed to happen to maintain our culture. Things are going in a positive direction now. “
The Cavs believe in Porter’s talent. They always did, considering him one of the most exciting players in last year’s draft and seeing him as a worthwhile risk with the last choice in the first round, paying $ 5 million and giving up four players in the second round to acquire it. But the maturity issues, which led him to slip on the recruitment board, remained in Cleveland – and went well beyond a prison on November 15.
It was a step forward and then a few steps back. He was unable to tie enough good days in a row and continued to sabotage his own progress. At one point, the sources say, Porter was not working to achieve the goals the organization set for him outside of court, preventing him from regaining their trust. It was also a sign that he had not learned from his mistakes and was not taking the situation as seriously as the team wanted.
From the Cavs’ point of view, there was a collective tiredness in dealing with Porter, who will not have much more chances in the NBA. They never suspended it. They did not fine him. They tried to work with him, investing time, energy, effort and resources. The decision to move on, taken right after his “petty explosion”, as one source described it, was not an easy one. This happened as a result of many factors, including disrespect for team members and teammates. The explosion in the locker room became the tipping point.
“The organization did everything and more for him,” said a source.
On the night that Porter joined his teammates and took a positive step to return, the young man got angry and started screaming when he entered the locker room and realized that the team had given his old locker to newcomer Prince Taurus, which was acquired in the team of four James Strengthen the blockbuster trade last Wednesday. A source said the decision was based on NBA seniority and the spacing to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols. With Porter not expected to play in the near future and Prince on the night rotation, it made more sense to have Prince closer to his teammates.
That moment of frustration, which included Porter throwing food, prompted general manager Koby Altman to come in to speak with Porter, who did not calm down. After this heated confrontation, Porter was instructed to clean his closet and removed from the building.
“We all want to see Kevin’s success, and I still feel that way,” said Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff recently. “So, whatever happens in the future with him, I expect nothing but the best for him. And it is part of our responsibility as coaches to give our best to everyone and try to do the best in each situation. I can say that we did it. “
Porter, 20, has yet to play this season due to personal problems. He was frustrated because the team was holding him. In August 2020, he was accused of punching a woman in the face. In October, Porter posted a black square on his Instagram with the message “Would you like to see the end of your time?” This incident caused Cavs officers and comrades to come to him, making sure he was okay and offering help. He was involved in a car accident in November – he was arrested and charged with improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, failure to control the vehicle and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. All of these charges were dismissed.
After averaging 10 points and 3.2 rebounds as a rookie last year in 23.2 minutes, Porter was considered a bright spot. Now he will try to revive his career with the Rockets.
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