CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cavaliers had no choice.
Kevin Porter Jr. – a six-foot-tall wingman who teased fans, teammates, coaches and executives with a promising debut season punctuated by mesmerizing flashes of star qualities on the court – would not reach his potential here in Cleveland.
Coach JB Bickerstaff, who offered to oversee Porter’s development early in the 2019-20 season while Bickerstaff was still John Beilein’s top assistant, failed to reach Porter consistently – although Bickerstaff is known throughout the division as a great communicator, leader and builder of culture.
General manager Koby Altman, who started bonding with Porter during his irregular freshman season at USC, often checking with the troubled young man via text message and spending a lot of time on campus to meet him, was also unable to enter in contact with Porter. At least, not enough to pull you back after months of mistakes.
“The organization did everything and more for him,” a league source told cleveland.com. “They went above and beyond. They gave him more chances than most franchises would have.”
Now, the Houston Rockets will try to save Porter from destroying his career – a promising start that grew quickly with plenty of free time during a prolonged off-season pandemic, a series of wrong decisions away from court and the immaturity that followed him, first Seattle to the USC and then college for Cleveland. Always a step forward and a few steps back.
For the Rockets, it’s a low-risk, high-reward move – a valuable bet for an organization that recently negotiated James Harden with the Brooklyn Nets and has assistant coach John Lucas, who has a history of helping recovery projects out of trouble. . If it doesn’t work, the Rockets move on without giving up anything, considering that the heavily protected second-round choice that the Cavs has is likely to never transmit.
For the Cavs, it is a significant setback in their reconstruction.
The team considered Porter the most talented youngster, the player with the most likely path to stardom. Front line members saw him as untouchable when rival teams came into contact in previous trade negotiations. Porter should be single – the centerpiece of this reconstruction with the ability to change the trajectory, the phenomenon that they stole at the end of the first shift.
Even after an off-season arrest, Porter was still on Cleveland’s long-term view, choosing to choose his option for the third year.
What could have been. Proceed to Thursday. The Cavs agreed to a trade that was basically a dumping ground for wages. They had two options: negotiate with Porter for very little or dismiss him immediately. They chose the least painful, getting some room for maneuver below the luxury tax and an open spot marked for a reserve guard to help fill the short-term void with Matthew Dellavedova away from the pitch indefinitely because of a concussion.
Make no mistake: no one seems right here.
Not Porter, who had several chances to show the organization that he learned from his mistakes, to prove that he had the emotional maturity to handle everything needed to be an NBA player. The Cavs set goals for him and Porter didn’t always work to achieve them, feeling disrespected by the organization that had held him for so long. They expected him to repay or simply respond in a different and more mature way. They also expected Porter to make better choices when it came to the people around him.
The Cavs sympathized with him, recognizing his chaotic past and the enormous burden he carried at such a young age, moving his family to Cleveland so that they could be cared for and safe. Despite the time, effort, resources and extra care, it didn’t work. How do you help someone who is not willing to help themselves? How many next times will you give before the frustration builds and the exhaustion takes over?
Altman doesn’t look good either. He made a bet almost two years ago, paying $ 5 million and giving up four second-round choices for Porter’s rights. The Cavs worked tirelessly to accumulate these assets. They are not in a position to throw them away – even if they are only secondary players. The Cavs knew all the reasons behind Porter’s enlistment night’s sudden fall. They did their homework, talked to countless people and met Porter in person. Although a few other teams took him off the board, Cavs was passionate about his advantage, seeing an offensive package similar to Harden’s and tempting bidirectional features.
Their thinking process: what is it like for this kid when we offer a structure he never had, a consistent routine he needs, adequate eating habits, a better sleep schedule, exercise, professional training, some veterans to show the way and Bickerstaff as a relatable mentor?
It wasn’t perfect the first year. There were some slips. But his debut season made it look like a smart bet.
Porter averaged 10.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists. He was one of the highlights during a 19-season, sometimes miserable, season that ended abruptly in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He dueled with Harden in a captivating showdown last December. Porter started a recovery in February against the Miami Heat, adding 30 points, the record of his career.
Bickerstaff used to refer to Porter as one of the best passers on the list, and there was excitement about the possibility of using the 20-year-old swingman as a game-making guard. Porter developed a close relationship with technical assistant Lindsay Gottlieb, who spoke of his love for the young man.
Then everything changed during a long off-season. Porter walked away.
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.
Porter’s days with the Cavs reached a critical point last Friday, when he was upset after learning that his space in the locker room had been given to newly acquired striker Taurean Prince. Porter had returned to practice with the Cavs the day before – part of an undisclosed reintegration plan.
That night, Altman came and tried to talk about it. But Porter did not calm down. The food was thrown. Tensions increased. The verbal exchange between Porter and Altman was “uncomfortable for everyone there,” said a source who testified.
Friday was the culmination of many mistakes, including disrespecting teammates and team members.
After this confrontation, Porter was instructed to clean his closet and removed from the building, exiled from the team while the front office determined the next steps.
“We all want to see Kevin’s success, and I still feel that way,” said Bickerstaff on Monday. “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. “
Bickerstaff’s message focused on unity, collective adherence, responsibility and discipline. Cavs are trying to build a culture that is not yet firmly established. A surprising 7 to 7 game put them in the right direction, currently in the playoff phase of the Eastern Conference, a month after the start of this strange season. They couldn’t risk it all for one player, no matter how talented. They had already bet enough on him.
The Cavs didn’t want that. They supported Porter after his arrest. They referred to him repeatedly as a good boy in essence. It was not an impulsive decision.
Perhaps there were some things that they could have done better. The same goes for Porter. Bickerstaff and Altman will certainly reflect on that. They will do the mirror test. But moving forward was the best – and only – option for everyone involved. Porter was the only guy who couldn’t keep up with the organizational standard. What would you say about the core values if he continued to receive preferential treatment and infinite chances? This was a message. Words in action.
With Porter gone, the focus is on the rest of the young Cleveland core. Collin Sexton replaces Porter as the cornerstone. Low-maintenance Sexton has been one of the best players in the Eastern Conference over a breathtaking six-month period that runs through last December. His recent game helps to soften the violent blow.
Jarrett Allen’s arrival is a good incentive, giving Cavs the center of the 22-year-old who becomes the defensive center. Dylan Windler is almost back and was a threat to Porter’s playing time. The Prince of Taurine, the secondary part of Allen’s business, is still only 26 years old. Isaac Okoro has impressed the Cavs since he was chosen fifth overall in November. Darius Garland showed an exciting growth before suffering a sprained right shoulder. Don’t forget the unknown Larry Nance Jr. Having them all, at least, helps.
The Cavs chose culture over talent. They deserve credit. But that doesn’t change the bottom line: Cleveland lost one of its precious – and most important – building blocks.
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