Porter’s trade to Rockets signals disappointing end to Cavs tenure

The Cavaliers’ decision Jan. 22 to once and for all give up on Kevin Porter Jr. is a classic example of addition by subtraction and a signal General Manager Koby Altman truly believes his team is on a path to becoming a playoff contender again — maybe not this season but in the not too distant future.

Altman traded Porter, the 30th pick of the 2019 draft, to the Houston Rockets for a future protected second-round draft pick.

Porter had been away from the team for personal reasons all season until he showed up at practice at Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence Jan. 14.

Any chance of him sorting through whatever was bugging him and picking where he left off as a rookie evaporated a night later when he had a meltdown in the Cavaliers locker room at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse when he discovered his former locker had been given to Taurean Prince.

Porter’s locker was moved to the wall where the younger players dress.

“After careful and thoughtful evaluation, we made the very difficult and collective decision to make this trade,” Altman said in a statement. “Given the culture and environment we have worked to cultivate here in Cleveland, we feel this move is in everyone’s best interest.

“Kevin has a bright career ahead of him as a professional basketball player and, at his core, is a good person. We wish Kevin and his family well in Houston.”

Altman’s regret was genuine. He gave up four second-round picks in 2019 for Porter’s draft rights. The Cavaliers took guard Darius Garland fifth and forward Dylan Windler 26th in the same draft, but it was Porter who showed the most potential as a rookie.

Porter was suspended for unspecified conduct issues as a freshman at USC. He declared for the NBA draft after that season and was only 19 when the Cavaliers drafted him.

Two weeks before the Cavaliers opened training camp this season on Dec. 1, Porter was involved in a one-car accident in Mahoning County. He was arrested when police discovered a loaded gun and marijuana in his car. The charges were dropped a month later.

“We all want to see

Kevin be successful. I still feel that way,” Bickerstaff said earlier this week when reports Porter would be traded surfaced. “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.”

There was finality in the remarks by Altman and Bickerstaff. Both worked with Porter because they care about him as a person, but also because he flashed talent last season that, had he conquered his personal issues, would have made him a key component in what the Cavs are building.

The root of those personal problems were present when the Cavaliers drafted him. Otherwise, he might not have lasted until the 30th pick of the draft two years ago.

“KP’s starting to figure out his ability and figure out what he can bring night in and night out, especially against second-unit guys,” Tristan Thompson, then a Cavaliers center (he’s with Boston, now), said after a game in December of 2019. “What I’ve been telling him is he’s got a very special, unique chance to be very good in our league. I think he can be a great two-way guy.

“I think with his Godgiven ability and makeup, body structure, I think he has the potential to be a guy who can guard, but also score on the other end. I think he’s realizing just to make it simple because guys just don’t want to guard and he’s figuring that out. The kid has got something special.”

Porter was at his best at the end of his 201920 rookie season. He scored 30, 5, 16, 14, 16 and 1 points in the final six games before the season was cut short by the novel coronavirus.

“Cleveland, thank you for giving me a chance to change not only my life, but my family’s as well and believing in me,” Porter said in a farewell tweet after the trade. “To the beloved city, the fans, the brothers I gained, the coaching staff and the entire organization, I appreciate you and won’t ever take the relationship we have for granted.”

Maybe Porter can get his career back on track with a change of scenery and fresh start.

Certainly, from a talent standpoint, the Cavaliers did not come out as the winner in this trade. But now they can get on with their season and close the book that had an unhappy ending.