The Houston Rockets and the NBA responded Monday afternoon to Kevin Porter Jr.’s morning arrest in New York for an alleged domestic assault and strangulation involving his girlfriend.
“We are aware of the reports regarding Kevin Porter Jr.,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic. “The league office is in contact with the Rockets and in the process of gathering more information.”
Porter, who joined the Rockets in January 2021, was drafted by Cleveland in the 2019 first round. Due to concerning off-court incidents, the Cavaliers traded him to Houston after less than two years, and they did so for minimal compensation. One incident involved an allegation that he punched a woman in the face.
Until Monday, there had been no such incident (at least not a known one) during Porter’s two-plus years with the Rockets. Now that there is, his future with the Rockets could be in question.
In a statement, the Rockets said they would withhold further comment until more information is gathered:
We are in the process of gathering information surrounding the matter involving Kevin Porter Jr. We have no further comment at this time.
Under the terms of his contract, Porter is owed approximately $15.9 million for the 2023-24 season, and future seasons are mostly non-guaranteed. However, ESPN’s Bobby Marks reports that under the terms of domestic violence policy within the NBA’s latest collective bargaining agreement, the league has the jurisdiction to void the contract entirely, including this season.
Thus, rather than immediately cutting ties, it could behoove the Rockets to await the NBA’s investigation and its policy conclusions. In the meantime, as Marks notes, Houston could ask Porter to stay away from the team during this process.
Read on for what specifics we know of Porter’s current situation, along with immediate reaction across social media.
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