The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Reports: Cavs moving on from Porter Jr.
The Cavaliers are cutting ties with swingman Kevin Porter Jr., and will either trade him or cut him, reports say.
The Cavaliers are cutting ties with swingman Kevin Porter Jr. and will either trade him or cut him, according to multiple reports.
General Manager Koby Altman has not addressed the situation, but Coach J.B. Bickerstaff in a Zoom conference Jan. 18 seemed resigned to parting with Porter, who showed promise as a rookie in 2019-20 when he averaged 10 points a game playing in 50 games.
Porter was away from the team for personal reasons and has not played a game this season with the 6-7 Cavaliers. He rejoined the team on Jan. 14 to participate in practice and sat on the bench a night later in a home game with the Knicks.
Reportedly, Porter entered the Cavaliers locker room at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and became angry when he discovered his former locker had been given to Taurean Prince, who was acquired last week in the four-team trade that sent star James Harden from the Rockets to the Nets.
Porter apparently felt disrespected by the decision, which was based on NBA seniority and spacing regarding the novel coronavirus pandemic. Altman was alerted to the incident and tried to calm Porter down without success, according to reports.
Porter was not at practice Jan. 16. The Cavaliers were off the next day. He did not practice Jan. 18.
“We go into it, obviously, wanting to get the most from and having the most success for the guys we possibly can,” Bickerstaff said. “Every guy we come in contact with, that’s our goal.
“We all want to see Kevin be successful. I still feel that way. Whatever it is that happens in the future for him, I hope nothing but the best for him. It’s part of our responsibility as coaches to give everyone our all and try to make the best of every situation. I could say that we did that.”
Porter, 20, was arrested in November in Mahoning County after being involved in a one-car accident. He was arrested on charges of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, failure to control his vehicle and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Those charges were dismissed a month later.
Bickerstaff is trying to build a positive culture among his players, and apparently Porter does not fit that culture. Bickerstaff was asked how the team will react if and when Porter is cut or traded.
“I think the players will be disappointed because they have a relationship with Kevin, as we all do,” Bickerstaff said. “But I feel like the guys are bought into what we’re trying to do and will continue to show up and give us the effort they’ve been giving us thus far.
“We’ll keep building together. I expect guys to maintain the relationship they have (with Porter), but I don’t have any doubt guys will continue to put their best foot forward as a group.”
Meanwhile, guards Collin Sexton and Darius Garland were able to practice with contact Jan. 18 and are expected to play Jan. 20 when the Cavaliers host the Nets. Garland missed the last seven games with a shoulder injury. Sexton missed the last five games with an ankle injury.