Kevin Porter Jr. signed a four-year, $82.5 million contract extension with the Houston Rockets ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season. It appeared to be a good investment as the fourth-year guard had the best season of his young career. He averaged 19.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.2% from the field, 36.6% from three-point range and 78.4% from the free-throw line.
Porter Jr. appeared to be on the verge of future NBA stardom. That all changed in the offseason as he was arrested for domestic violence. He was later traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder and waived. After pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of reckless assault and a second-degree harassment violation, he joined Greek club PAOK.
Speaking to the media following his fourth game with the team, Porter Jr. revealed that he hopes to return to the NBA, stating:
Well, I guess we’re going to have to wait until that happens, but if it’s up to me, I don’t see myself [playing for any other team] when it comes from an overseas standpoint if I’m staying out here another year or if I have the opportunity to go back to the NBA, then I’ll probably go back to the NBA.
If it’s not the NBA, I don’t want to play for no other club than PAOK. I feel like they’ve welcomed me and gave me the chance that a lot of people looked over. I feel like I’m very grateful. It’s a family here, it’s very family-oriented. That’s what I needed to get out of the shell I was in, so I can’t see myself playing for any club overseas besides PAOK. No matter the league, but if it’s not the NBA, I’ll probably be here again.
Porter Jr. has appeared in just four games with PAOK after joining the team in early April. He has averaged 20.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 3.0 steals and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 46.2% from the field, 25.0% from three-point range and 64.3% from the free-throw line. It is unclear if any team will have interest in signing him this offseason.
Kevin Porter Jr. has faced previous discipline issues
While Kevin Porter Jr. has plenty of talent, he was unable to stay out of his own way during his four years in the NBA. During his rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he was suspended for making improper contact with an official. He began his second season inactive due to an offseason weapons charge, which was later dropped.
Before he was able to suit up, however, Porter Jr. was kicked off the team. He reportedly had an outburst after his locker was moved following the acquisition of Taurean Prince. The incident led the Cavaliers to trade him to the Houston Rockets.
In his first year with the Rockets, he was fined for violating the league’s health and safety protocols. The following season, he was suspended by the team after a verbal altercation with assistant coach John Lucas. He reportedly threw an object in the locker room and left the arena during halftime.
Porter Jr. was able to avoid further incidents in his fourth season in the league. He appeared to be turning a corner prior to his September 2023 arrest.
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