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Rockets-Thunder trade could be the end for Kevin Porter Jr.
Kevin Porter Jr. Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Rockets-Thunder trade could be the end for Kevin Porter Jr.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, controversial guard Kevin Porter Jr. has been traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder will immediately waive Porter Jr., making him an unrestricted free agent. The full details of the trade look like this: 

Rockets receive:

  • Victor Oladipo
  • Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

Thunder receive:

  • Kevin Porter Jr.
  • Two future second-round picks

Oklahoma City will pay Porter Jr. the $16.9 million he was guaranteed for the upcoming season, and Houston will save $5.5 million by making the trade. However, Porter Jr.'s NBA future is now uncertain. The 23-year-old faces two criminal charges of second-degree strangulation and third-degree assault. He has pleaded not guilty to both.

This is the latest issue in Porter Jr.'s young career. He was previously traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers after a locker-room outburst and one-car accident during which he was "arrested and charged with improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, failure to control the vehicle and misdemeanor possession of marijuana," per The Athletic.

"After careful and thoughtful evaluation, we made the very difficult and collective decision to make this trade," Cleveland's Koby Altman said at the time. "Given the culture and environment we have worked to cultivate here in Cleveland, we feel this move is in everyone's best interest.

Porter Jr. is now unattached in the NBA. He has no contract, and no team will want to acquire him anytime soon given his off-court issues. The NBA moves quickly. 

There will be another young talent who breaks through, and suddenly, Porter Jr. is an afterthought. Players spend the first part of their lives clawing for a chance in the league. Most don't let that chance slip when they get it, but Porter Jr. has already used up his second chance. 

From the moment Porter Jr. was traded by Cleveland ahead of his sophomore year, there was a reputation attached to him. Add his current legal issues to the situation, and his future in the NBA looks bleak, at best. It's likely that this is the end of the road. 

Houston had been keen to trade the embattled guard. Oklahoma City has added more draft assets to its stockpile. Porter Jr. should now seek the help he needs, both legally and personally. 

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