Clippers' Kevin Porter: Returning to NBA with Clippers
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Porter and the Clippers agreed to terms Sunday on a two-year deal, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the second year of the deal is a player option, and both years are for the veteran's minimum and are fully guaranteed. Porter didn't play in the NBA this past season after being arrested on an assault charge on a domestic incident that occurred in September, with the Rockets trading him a month later to the Thunder, who immediately waived him. In January, Porter accepted a plea deal in relation to the arrest, then played overseas in Greece in the spring. Though Porter's legal situation looks to be resolved, it's unclear whether he'll face discipline from the NBA during the 2024-25 season now that he's resurfaced in the league with the Clippers. Over 59 regular-season appearances with the Rockets during the 2022-23 campaign, Porter averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 34.3 minutes per game. Even if Porter isn't subject to any sort of suspension, he won't be in store for nearly as large of a role with LA as he had previously handled in Houston.
Porter agreed Sunday to a contract with Greek club PAOK for the remainder of the 2023-24 season, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Porter hasn't played at any level this season since being waived in October by the Thunder, who acquired him from the Rockets after he arrested on an assault charge in a domestic incident that occurred Sept. 11. In January, the 23-year-old reached a plea deal in a New York City court of third-degree reckless assault and second-degree harassment for which he will complete a 26-week counseling program to effectively clear his criminal record. Though the plea deal was a positive development from a legal standpoint, Porter's off-court issues may make it difficult for him to make a return to the NBA down the road.
Porter reached a plea agreement in New York City court Tuesday of third-degree reckless assault and second-degree harassment in the domestic case involving his former girlfriend stemming from his Sept. 11 arrest, Adrian Wojnarowksi of ESPN reports.
According to Porter's lawyers, he'll now have to complete a 26-week counseling program within the next year before he's then able to withdraw the plea. At that point, Porter would be sentenced for time served on the harassment count, which would effectively clear his criminal record. Just over a month after Porter was arrested, the Rockets traded him to the Thunder, who subsequently waived him. While the plea agreement represents a positive development for Porter from a legal standpoint, his history of troubling off-court behavior means that he's unlikely to be signed at any point in the near future.
Porter (personal), along with two second-round picks, was traded to Oklahoma City on Tuesday in exchange for Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Victor Oladipo, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports. Porter has been waived by the Thunder following the deal.
The deal allows for Porter to be expunged from Houston's salary sheet, while Oklahoma City clears roster spots in the transaction. The Thunder also pick up a pair of second-round picks to add to their war chest of future draft capital. In September, Porter was arrested on assault charges -- the latest in a series of off-the-court issues for the 2019 first-round pick. In light of the arrest, the Rockets made it clear that Porter would not be a part of the team moving forward. After being waived by the Thunder, Porter will now become a free agent, but given his reputation and legal issues, he's unlikely to be picked up anytime soon.
Rockets' Kevin Porter: Not part of team moving forward
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The Rockets informed Porter (personal) on Monday that he will not be part of the team moving forward, Chris Mannix of SI.com reports.
Porter was arrested on assault charges in New York City in mid-September and is still facing potential legal punishment. It was reported that the Rockets were attempting to trade the 2019 first-round pick, but given he's been the culprit of numerous off-the-court incidents since coming into the NBA, it seems unlikely any team would be willing to give up any assets to acquire Porter. "The allegations against [Porter] are deeply troubling," Rockets general manager Rafael Stone said. Porter averaged 19.2 points in 59 games last season and is owed $15.9 million in 2023-24.
