The final time Los Angeles Clippers guard Kevin Porter Jr. was seen in an NBA recreation was on April 7, 2023, when his Houston Rockets beat the Charlotte Hornets. Enjoying 37 minutes, he tied with Jalen Inexperienced for the team-best 26 factors, whereas including 5 assists and two steals. The Seattle native did most of his harm from the free-throw line, hitting 10 of 12 free throws.
Since then, Porter’s basketball journey has taken some dramatic turns. The next September, Porter was arrested on suspicion of assaulting his then-girlfriend, Kysre Gondrizeck. A month later, the Rockets traded him to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, who instantly launched him. Then, in January, he pleaded responsible to home violence earlier than signing with PAOK BC of Greece in April.
It is not unsuitable to say that folks thought they’d seen the final of Porter within the NBA. Nonetheless, reeling from the lack of Paul George and unable to draft DeMar DeRozan in his place, the Clippers agreed to a take care of Porter on July 10.
On the primary day of coaching camp, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue was requested if Porter could be a part of the staff rotation. This query most likely arose not solely due to his previous, each optimistic and adverse experiences, but in addition due to LA’s George-less roster.
“He can actually make an impression,” Lue instructed the media, as transcribed by Clutch Factors’ Tomer Azarly. “You don’t make $20 million a yr in Houston should you can’t play. He’s a fantastic expertise. It’s going to be my job to verify we get essentially the most out of him.”
With the necessity to change George, who averaged 23.0 factors and 4.5 assists per recreation with the Clips, Lue seems to be specializing in what Porter can convey on offense. In his remaining NBA season, Porter averaged 19.2 factors and 5.7 assists per recreation.
“He could make baskets, he could make performs, and I’m going to proceed to educate him and practice him laborious. He’s a fantastic expertise,” Lue reiterated. “For us to achieve success, he’s going to be a giant a part of that, so I’m excited for him and the chance to educate him.”
