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On January 21, 2021, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded their 2019 30th pick Kevin Porter Jr. to the Houston Rockets for a top-55 protected second-round pick.
Porter was only 20 years old at the time and had displayed a lot of offensive potential during his rookie season with the Cavaliers. He averaged 10.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists over 50 games for Cleveland.
However, Porter was quickly viewed as a reclamation project after personal issues prevented him from playing to start his sophomore season.
His problems off the field included him being accused of punching a woman in August 2020, according to a report by Cleveland.com. On November 15, 2020, Porter also crashed his car late at night.
This led police to find a loaded handgun and marijuana and arrest him on suspicion of possessing a weapon and marijuana.
Luckily, a grand jury decided not to indict Porter on felony weapons charges as Porter was able to prove the weapon was not his. A judge later dismissed his misdemeanor marijuana charge as well.
His personal issues reached their peak in January 2021. The young guard reportedly had a meltdown over his locker having been given to then-newly-acquired veteran Taurean Prince in January.
This was the final straw that led to Porter being traded for basically nothing.
Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman later explained the thought process that went into the controversial decision to trade Kevin Porter Jr. Altman highlighted the fact that it had a lot to do with the team culture that the Cavaliers were trying to instill and said:
"After careful and thoughtful evaluation, we made the very difficult and collective decision to make this trade. Given the culture and environment, we have worked to cultivate here in Cleveland, we feel this move is in everyone's best interest."
He then added that Porter still has a bright future despite his controversies:
"Kevin has a bright future ahead of him as a professional basketball player and, at his core, is a good person."
Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff also spoke about the team's decision to move on from Porter and wished him the best moving forward, saying:
"We all want to see Kevin be successful and I still feel that way, so whatever it is that happens in the future for him, I hope nothing but the best for him."
Bickerstaff added that he felt like he did everything he could as a coach to help the youngster:
"It's part of our responsibility as coaches to give everyone our all and try to make the best of every situation, and I can say that we did that."
Kevin Porter Jr. later thanked Cleveland for giving him a chance.
"Cleveland, thank you for giving me a chance to change not only my life but my family's as well, & believing in me.
"To the beloved city, the fans, my brothers I gained, the coaching staff, and the entire organization, I appreciate you & won't ever take the relationships we have for granted. Everything we shared together was real, & it'll always be a foreva love."
Kevin Porter Jr. says trade to Rockets may have saved his life
During media day ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season in September 2021, Kevin Porter Jr. later spoke about the importance of his January trade to Houston. Porter explained how the trade may have even saved his life and said:
“This organization saved my life, potentially ... I just love being here, and I want to be here for a while. ... I needed new scenery, (from) where I was at. They picked me up when I was down.”
Kevin Porter Jr. then added that the Houston Rockets gave him the motivation to become a better person. He also said that he would try to repay them by giving the team his all:
“They gave me love and confidence in myself, and motivation to become a better player and person. They’ve invested a lot in me, and I try to give them my all to repay them in some way.”
Kevin Porter Jr. has certainly lived up to his word so far and has enjoyed a very productive couple of seasons with the Houston Rockets. The former Cleveland Cavaliers guard has averaged 16.2 points, 6.2 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game in 92 games for Houston.
