Content Warning: This Article Discusses Alleged Domestic Assault.
Kevin Porter Jr. was conspicuously absent from the Houston Rockets’ media day on Monday, signaling his exclusion from the team’s upcoming training camp and preseason.
In a press conference held by coach Ime Udoka and general manager Rafael Stone, the topic of Kevin Porter Jr.’s recent arrest in New York for an alleged domestic assault and strangulation was addressed. During this discussion, Stone officially announced that Porter’s association with the Houston Rockets has come to an end.
Kevin Porter Jr.’s legal situation is ongoing, with his next court appearance scheduled for October 16th in a Manhattan court.
“The allegations against him are deeply troubling,” Stone said. “Going back a few weeks, as soon as I heard the allegations, I informed his representatives that he could not be part of the Houston Rockets. He has not been with the team or around it since that time.”
Kevin Porter Jr., originally the 30th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, was acquired by the Houston Rockets from the Cleveland Cavaliers, despite prior off-the-court issues. In 2020, he faced accusations of assaulting a woman, though no charges were ultimately filed. He also had a separate incident resulting in an arrest for possessing a loaded firearm, although those charges were later dropped.
The Rockets acquired Porter in 2021 via a trade involving a protected second-round pick. In that same year, Porter had a significant altercation with assistant coach John Lucas II, which led to his abrupt departure from a Rockets game against the Denver Nuggets at halftime.
Over the course of two seasons, Porter participated in 120 games, starting in all of them. During the previous season, he played in 59 games, averaging an impressive 19.2 points per game. Coach Ime Udoka had plans for Porter to compete for the starting spot alongside Jalen Green.
Kevin Porter Jr. signed a lucrative four-year, $72.6 million rookie extension in October of the previous year and is owed $15.9 million for the current season. However, the league has the authority, under the provisions of the domestic violence policy, to void the contract, including the current year.
The NBA’s investigation into this matter is ongoing, with General Manager Rafael Stone stating that the franchise is awaiting the results of both police and NBA investigations.
“What’s left for the team to do is evaluate the next steps for our organization that remain in compliance with the league domestic violence policy,” Stone said. “This is now a league matter, and that’s where it’s at.”
