Kevin Porter Jr has been one of the most versatile guards in the league since being drafted in 2019 and has significantly upped his game across the franchises he has played for. Despite his stellar form, KPJ’s professional career has recently taken a hit owing to off-court controversies surrounding the player.
The Houston Rockets have now traded away the promising 23-year-old guard to the Oklahoma City Thunder and this unexpected trade has left fans wondering about the instigating factors behind such a decision. Delving deeper into the matter, there appears to be a troubling cloud of domestic violence charges looming over Porter Jr.
Rockets trade Kevin Porter Jr.
The Houston Rockets have made a significant trade, sending shooting guard Kevin Porter Jr. to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Along with Porter Jr., the Rockets are also trading two future second-round picks to the Thunder. However, the Thunder have decided to waive Porter Jr. immediately following the trade.
In exchange, the Thunder are acquiring shooting guard Victor Oladipo and forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl from the Rockets. Sources reveal that the Thunder will receive a 2027 second-round pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves and a 2028 second-round pick via the Milwaukee Bucks as part of the deal.
This trade comes at a time when Porter Jr. is facing assault charges related to an incident involving his ex-girlfriend. By waiving Porter Jr., the Thunder are essentially buying the two future second-round picks in this transaction. It is worth noting that the Thunder will be responsible for paying the remaining guaranteed amount of $16.9 million on Porter Jr.’s contract.
The Thunder have been active in acquiring and moving players this offseason, which has allowed them to gather an impressive collection of draft picks. With a total of 15 first-round picks and 22 second-round picks over the next seven years, the Thunder are positioning themselves to build for the future.
Investigating domestic violence charges against Kevin Porter Jr.
Investigation is underway into Kevin Porter Jr.’s domestic violence charges following his recent arrest and assault of his ex-girlfriend, former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick. The unsettling incident occurred on September 11th, when authorities responded to a distressing 911 call reporting an assault at the Millenium Hilton in Manhattan, New York.
Porter Jr. was taken into custody and later charged with assault and strangulation against Gondrezick. Disturbed by the severity of the situation, Gondrezick was subsequently transferred to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.
The legal proceedings continued with Porter Jr.’s arraignment in a New York City court where he faced felony charges related to the assault. The Houston Rockets, his team, swiftly issued a statement assuring the public of their independent investigation into the matter. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the NBA had also responded, invoking their domestic violence policy, allowing Commissioner Adam Silver to take appropriate action based on the investigation’s outcomes.
As the investigation unfolds, questions linger about the future implications for both Porter Jr.’s career and his personal life, and with the season approaching closer by closer, anxiety seems to have taken over the Thunder fans regarding the player’s position in the future.
