The Houston Rockets are making determined efforts to trade away their player, Kevin Porter Jr., after he faced recent charges of felony assault and strangulation following an alleged incident involving his girlfriend. This information comes from sources cited by The Athletic. Let’s see the details of it below.
Rockets Seek Trade for Kevin Porter Jr. Amid Assault Charges
The Athletics Reports suggest that the Rockets have been reaching out to multiple teams, offering draft compensation as an enticing incentive to acquire Porter. The young player, who is in the first year of a four-year, $82.5 million deal, is set to earn $15.9 million for the 2023-24 season, with three non-guaranteed years following.
In trade scenarios involving Porter, the Rockets aim to utilize his salary to target a player under contract who can make an immediate impact on the team. However, the Rockets are keeping their options open regarding Porter’s future, maintaining a sense of flexibility, according to a league source.
This trade pursuit comes at a crucial time for the Rockets, who have been making significant moves in the offseason. They recently signed Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks in free agency and drafted Amen Thompson with the fourth overall pick in June’s draft, signaling their intent to become a more competitive force in the upcoming season.
The NBA has initiated an investigation into the allegations against Porter following an incident at a New York City hotel, where his girlfriend reportedly suffered a fractured neck vertebra and a cut above her right eye. This development adds another layer of complexity to any potential trade, as teams considering taking on Porter’s salary must grapple with the optics of employing a player facing felony assault and strangulation charges.
They must also weigh whether the draft picks offered in return are adequate compensation for a player who would likely be waived upon trade, considering his contract’s expiration. Porter was released on $75,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court in Manhattan on October 16. It’s reported that he won’t be participating in the Rockets’ training camp, which is set to commence in early October, according to league sources.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver commented on the situation, acknowledging the severity of the allegations but emphasizing the ongoing process of gathering information.
These developments paint a challenging and uncertain future for Kevin Porter Jr., both in terms of his legal situation and his basketball career, as the Rockets navigate the complexities of this troubling situation. The saga continues to unfold, with the NBA and the Rockets closely monitoring the situation while the league and fans await further developments.