CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavaliers had no choice.
Kevin Porter Jr. — a 6-foot-4 wing who teased fans, teammates, coaches and executives with a promising rookie season dotted with hypnotizing on-court flashes of star qualities — wasn’t going to reach his potential here in Cleveland. So, the Cavs agreed to send Porter to the Houston Rockets in exchange for a future second-round pick late Thursday night.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who volunteered to oversee Porter’s development at the start of the 2019-20 season while Bickerstaff was still John Beilein’s lead assistant, couldn’t consistently get through to Porter — even though Bickerstaff is known leaguewide as a great communicator, leader and culture-builder.
General manager Koby Altman, who started fostering a bond with Porter during his erratic freshman season at USC, often checking in with the troubled youngster via text and spending plenty of time on campus getting to know him, couldn’t get through to Porter anymore either. At least, not enough to pull him back after months of missteps.
“The organization did everything and more for him,” a league source told cleveland.com. “They went above and beyond. They gave him more chances than most franchises would have.”
Now the Rockets will try to save Porter from destroying his career — a hopeful start that spiraled quickly with too much free time during a pandemic-extended offseason, a string of poor decisions away from the court and immaturity that followed him, first from Seattle to USC and then college to Cleveland. Always one step forward and a few steps back.
For Houston, it’s a low-risk, high-reward move — a worthy gamble for an organization that recently dealt James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets and has assistant coach John Lucas, who has a history of helping reclamation projects with off-court issues. If it doesn’t work, the Rockets move on, giving up nothing, as the heavily-protected second-rounder is unlikely to ever convey.
For the Cavs, it’s a significant setback in their rebuild.
Teammates considered Porter the most talented of the young core, the player with the likeliest path to stardom. Members of the front office viewed him as untouchable when rival teams reached out in past trade talks. Porter was supposed to be the one — the centerpiece of this rebuild with the capability of altering the trajectory, the phenom they stole at the end of the first round.
Even after an offseason arrest, Porter was still in Cleveland’s long-term vision, choosing to pick up his third-year option.
What could have been. Flash forward to Thursday. The Cavs agreed to a trade that was basically a salary dump. They had two options: Deal Porter for not much in return or waive him outright. They chose the least painful, getting some wiggle room below the luxury tax and an open roster spot earmarked for a backup point guard to help fill the short-term void with Matthew Dellavedova sidelined indefinitely because of a concussion.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – FEBRUARY 29: Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff of the Cleveland Cavaliers speaks to Kevin Porter Jr. #4 and Collin Sexton #2 during the first half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 29, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)Getty Images
Two-way street
Make no mistake: No one looks good here.
Not Porter, who received multiple chances to show the organization he learned from his mistakes, to prove he had the emotional maturity to deal with everything that goes into being an NBA player. The Cavs set goals for him and Porter didn’t always work toward them, feeling disrespected with the organization holding him out for so long. They were hoping he would reciprocate or simply respond in a different, more mature way. They were also hoping Porter would make better choices when it came to those around him.
The Cavs empathized with him, recognizing his chaotic past and the massive burden he was carrying at such a young age, moving his family to Cleveland so they could be taken care of and safe. Despite the time, effort, resources, and extra care, it didn’t work. How do you help someone who is not willing to help themselves? How many next times will you give before frustration builds and exhaustion overwhelms?
Altman doesn’t look good either. He took a gamble nearly two years ago, paying $5 million and giving up four second-round picks for Porter’s draft rights. The Cavs worked tirelessly to accumulate those assets. They are in no position to throw them away — even if just second-rounders. The Cavs knew all the reasons behind Porter’s draft night plummet. They did their homework, talked to countless people and met with Porter personally. Despite some other teams taking Porter off the board, the Cavs were enamored with his upside, seeing a Harden-like offensive package and tantalizing two-way traits.
Their thought process: What does it look like for this kid when we provide structure he’s never had, a consistent routine he needs, proper eating habits, a better sleep schedule, workouts, professional coaching, a few veterans to show him the way and Bickerstaff as a relatable mentor?
It wasn’t perfect in Year One. There were some slipups. But his rookie season made it seem a wise bet.
Porter averaged 10.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists. He was one of the bright spots during a sometimes-miserable 19-win season that ended abruptly in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He dueled Harden in a captivating showdown last December. Porter ignited a February comeback against the Miami Heat, tallying a career-high 30 points.
Bickerstaff often referred to Porter as one of the best passers on the roster and there was excitement about the possibility of using the 20-year-old swingman as a playmaking guard. Porter developed a close relationship with assistant coach Lindsay Gottlieb, who spoke of her love for the youngster.
Then it all changed during a lengthy offseason. Porter drifted away.
Cleveland Cavaliers Kevin Porter Jr. argues a call from an official in the first quarter, January 15, 2021, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.John Kuntz, cleveland.com
End of the winding road
In August of 2020, he was accused of punching a woman in the face. In October, Porter posted a black square on his Instagram with the message “Do you ever wish to see the end of your time?” That incident led to Cavs officials and teammates reaching out to him, making sure he was OK and offering to help. He was involved in a one-car accident in November — arrested and charged with improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, failure to control the vehicle and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. All of those charges were dismissed.
Porter’s days with the Cavs reached a breaking point last Friday when he became upset after learning his space in the locker room had been given to newly acquired forward Taurean Prince. Porter had returned to practice with the Cavs a day earlier — part of an undisclosed reintegration plan.
That night, Altman came in and tried to talk through the issue. But Porter wouldn’t calm down. Food was thrown. Tensions rose. The verbal exchange between Porter and Altman was “uncomfortable for everyone in there,” said a source who witnessed it.
Jan 15 was the culmination of too many mistakes, including disrespecting teammates and staff members.
Following that confrontation, Porter was told to clean out his locker and removed from the building, exiled from the team while the front office determined the next steps. Porter didn’t practice Saturday and then Bickerstaff, who has said on multiple occasions how they are in the business of people, caring for their players beyond basketball, addressed the situation Monday afternoon.
“We all want to see Kevin be successful, and I still feel that way,” Bickerstaff said. “So whatever it is that happens in the future for him, I hope nothing but the best for him. And it’s part of our responsibility as coaches to give everyone our all and try to make the best of every situation. I can say that we did that.”
Bickerstaff’s message has centered on togetherness, collective buy in, accountability and discipline. The Cavs are trying to build a culture that’s not yet firmly established. A surprising 7-7 start has them moving in the right direction, currently in the Eastern Conference playoff picture a month into this strange season. They couldn’t risk all of that for one player, no matter how talented. They had already gambled enough on him.
The Cavs didn’t want this. They stood by Porter after his arrest. They repeatedly referred to him as a good kid at his core. It wasn’t an impulsive decision.
Maybe there were some things they could’ve done better. Same goes for Porter. Bickerstaff and Altman will surely reflect on that. They will take the mirror test. But moving on was the best — and only — option for everyone involved. Porter was the lone guy who couldn’t live up to the organizational standard. What would it say about the core values if he kept getting preferential treatment and endless chances? This was a message. Words into action.
The new core
With Porter gone, the focus turns to the remainder of Cleveland’s young nucleus. Collin Sexton displaces Porter as the cornerstone. Low-maintenance Sexton has been one of the East’s best players over a breathtaking six-month stretch that extends back to last December. His recent play helps soften the stinging blow.
Jarrett Allen’s arrival is a nice boost too, giving the Cavs a 22-year-old center of the future who becomes the defensive linchpin. Dylan Windler is nearing a comeback and was a threat to Porter’s playing time. Taurean Prince, the throw-in piece of the Allen deal, is still just 26 years old. Isaac Okoro has impressed the Cavs since being drafted fifth overall in November. Darius Garland showed exciting growth before suffering a sprained right shoulder. Don’t forget unheralded Larry Nance Jr. Having all of them at least helps.
The Cavs chose culture over talent. But it doesn’t change the end result: Cleveland lost one of its treasured — and most important — building blocks.
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