Rafael Stone lauds passing skills of Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr.

Rockets general manager Rafael Stone believes the court vision and passing shown by Kevin Porter Jr. could be his top skill.

Earlier this month, young Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. took to Twitter to clarify that he sees himself as primarily a point guard. Based on new comments, it appears general manager Rafael Stone agrees.

Stone met with reporters Wednesday during the team’s staff volunteer day at the Houston Food Bank, and Stone noted that he and Porter Jr. had recently had lunch together. When asked about the 21-year-old’s outlook following his second NBA season and first in Houston, Stone said:

Kevin’s talented enough that he’s positionless. I do believe his best skill right now is passing. His court vision, his handle allows him to make plays for others. That is already at a near-elite level.

He’s a really big, really athletic guy, and so he can make plays on and off the ball. He can do a lot, he’s a really talented basketball player who needs to become a really good basketball player, and I feel good about his progress since he’s been with us.

Porter Jr. averaged 16.6 points and 6.3 assists in 32.1 minutes per game with the Rockets, and his court vision and passing skills were impressive. While five-time All-Star John Wall remains Houston’s primary point guard at the moment, the 30-year-old isn’t seen as a long-term fixture for a rebuilding team. Eventually, the job will be there for the taking.

Whenever that moment comes, it appears that Porter Jr. is ready for the challenge. Moreover, his ability to take over the role of primary facilitator might also make it easier for Stone to use Houston’s No. 2 overall draft pick on Jalen Green, who is clearly a shooting guard.

The July 29 draft is now just one week away, and Green certainly looks to be a leading option for Houston entering the final days.

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