Houston Rockets Trade Kevin Porter Jr. to the Oklahoma City Thunder

The Houston Rockets made a significant move on Tuesday night, trading guard Kevin Porter Jr. and two future second-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder. According to sources, the Thunder will immediately waive Porter as part of the deal.

In exchange for Porter, the Rockets will receive Victor Oladipo and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. Additionally, the Thunder will acquire a 2027 second-round pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves and a 2028 second-round pick from the Milwaukee Bucks.

This trade allows the Thunder to accumulate draft assets while shouldering the remaining $16.9 million of Porter’s guaranteed salary. On the other hand, it also saves the Rockets $5.5 million in salary.

However, Porter’s future in the NBA remains uncertain following his arrest for an alleged attack on his girlfriend, former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick. The incident took place on September 11 at the Millennium Hilton in New York. While Porter initially faced charges of assault that included a fractured neck vertebra and a deep cut above Gondrezick’s eye, Manhattan prosecutors dropped one of the assault charges on Monday, acknowledging that the fracture did not occur.

Gondrezick spoke out on Tuesday, denying that Porter had hit her and stating that the allegations of abuse were not true. Despite her statement, Porter still faces charges of second-degree strangulation and third-degree assault, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

Porter’s four-year contract extension, worth up to $82.5 million, was signed last season. However, due to his off-court issues, the contract is only partially guaranteed.

Porter’s journey in the NBA has been marred by conduct problems. He was suspended during his time at USC and was subsequently selected as the No. 30 pick in the 2019 draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, he did not join the team the following season due to personal reasons.

In January 2021, Porter was traded to the Rockets in exchange for a top-55 protected second-round pick after a heated argument with Cavaliers officials.

As for the Thunder, this trade adds to their already impressive collection of draft picks. Over the next seven years, they have amassed 15 first-round and 22 second-round picks, further bolstering their future prospects.

In a separate trade earlier this offseason, the Thunder acquired Oladipo from the Miami Heat, along with two future second-round picks. Oladipo, who is rehabilitating a torn patellar tendon in his left knee, is on an expiring contract worth $9.5 million.

Robinson-Earl, the other player the Rockets will receive in the trade, has a $1.9 million guarantee for this season and a $2 million team option for the following year.

Overall, this trade signifies a significant shakeup for both the Rockets and the Thunder as they reshape their rosters and focus on their respective futures.