The Cavaliers have found a buyer for Kevin Porter Jr.
Cleveland is swapping the sophomore winger for the Rockets, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen reported late Thursday. In return, they will receive a protected draft pick for the second round. The Associated Press reported that the deal was yet to be approved by the NBA.
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The Cavs decided to relocate Porter after throwing a tantrum over the team, who gave his locker to newly acquired veteran Taurean Prince and moved him to a different part of the locker room. The Athletic reported that the January 15 outbreak included Porter throwing food and being “combative” during an argument with General Manager Koby Altman.
Cleveland coach JB Bickerstaff spoke on Monday of Porter as a soon-to-be former member of the organization.
“We all want Kevin to be successful,” said Bickerstaff, according to The Athletic. “I still feel that way. Whatever happens to him in the future, I hope nothing but the best for him. And it is our responsibility as coaches to do our best and try to get the best out of every situation . ” I can tell we did that. “
Porter didn’t play for Cleveland that season due to unspecified personal issues. He was charged with gun and drug offenses after a car accident in Ohio last November. Prosecutors later dropped the charges, ESPN reported.
He played 50 games (three starts) for the Cavs as a rookie last season with an average of 10.0 points and 3.2 rebounds.
Houston will forego injured security guard Chris Clemons to make room for Porter on the roster, Feigen reported.
