Porter is coming from Cavs
The Rockets will acquire second-year guard Kevin Porter Jr. from the Cleveland Cavaliers, two individuals with knowledge of the deal said on Thursday, sending a protected second-round pick considered unlikely to be moved.
A 6-4 guard, Porter was the final pick of the 2019 first round and showed promise as a rookie, averaging 10 points per game in 23.2 minutes.
The Rockets will waive guard Chris Clemons, who is out for the season with a ruptured Achilles. Clemons’ contract became guaranteed when he was hurt late in a preseason game. The pick going to Cleveland is protected through the first 55 picks of the draft.
Porter had been away from the Cavaliers this season for what had been called personal reasons. He returned, but according to reports, got into an altercation with GM Koby Altman about having the location of his locker moved in the Cavs’ locker room.
Porter, 20, was arrested in November following a traffic accident but was not charged with driving while impaired. A judged dismissed a misdemeanor marijuana charge.
Porter played one season at USC but was suspended for “personal conduct issues.” He was considered among the country’s top prospects in the recruiting class of 2018 out of Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, Wash.