Kevin Porter Jr. Traded out of Cleveland

It's been a tumultuous time for Kevin Porter Jr. in Cleveland, and he has officially worn out his welcome. The 6'4", second year combo guard out of USC, the 30th overall pick in the 2019 draft, has been dealt to the Houston Rockets for a protected second-round pick, according to multiple sources. This is hardly a surprise - it has been known for the last week that the Cavs had been actively trying to trade away Porter Jr. 

On November 15, 2020 Porter Jr. was arrested on weapons charges after getting into a single car accident. The weapons charges were later dropped, as were misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession and driving without a license. More recently, and perhaps the final straw for Cleveland, was the handling of his locker relocation which involved a shouting match with GM Koby Altman and an apparent food fight. 

His arrival in Houston may be a career saving move for the young Porter Jr., as his troubles in the NBA aren't isolated incidents - he was suspended while at USC for three games for an undisclosed conduct issue. John Lucas, based out of Houston, battled substance abuse and addiction while playing in the NBA in the 1980s and has been sober for more than thirty years. He created John Lucas Enterprises and has taken it upon himself to "prove that someone with a serious drug and alcohol problem can overcome it and achieve greatness again". 

Porter Jr. is an extremely talented basketball player, and here's hoping he can not only get his life in order off the court, but become a difference maker on it, too. 

Photo Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports