Domestic assault is an extremely serious issue. If you’re a victim of it, please stop reading this piece. Unfortunately, it’s a talking point around the NBA right now. Kevin Porter Jr. of the Houston Rockets recently committed a horrific act of domestic abuse against his partner.
The mere discussion of the basketball implications feels tacky. There are more important issues at play here – by a long shot. Still, the Rockets will have to give the on-court implications here some thought. Porter Jr. will be a significant loss to this team’s rotation.
More than anything, he was the team’s best shooter. That was already going to be an issue for this team – now, it’s likely to be a major one. With that said, Porter Jr.’s uniquely structured contract could be moved. A team could land him, and cut him this summer at no cost. Could the Rockets flip it for Buddy Hield of the Indiana Pacers?
The Trade Proposal
Indiana Pacers Receive: G/F Kevin Porter Jr., 2025 First-Round Pick (Swap – HOU or BKN)
Houston Rockets Receive: G/F Buddy Hield
We cannot stress this enough: Porter Jr.’s actions were horrific. They were unacceptable. We need to reckon with this, as a basketball-watching and sports-loving community.
The NBA has a problem here. They need to respond accordingly. Miles Bridges is about to suit up for the Charlotte Hornets. It’s too late to change any ruling on that situation. It’s not too late to properly punish Porter Jr. It is incumbent on the NBA to make an example of this young man.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers & Houston Rockets Updates
Unfortunately, our hands are tied. We can’t influence Adam Silver’s decision. With that in mind, we can talk about the basketball implications of the situation. Should the Rockets acquire Hield to replace Porter Jr.?
Why The Houston Rockets Do The Deal
The Rockets have made a tremendous effort to improve ahead of 2023-24. This team has been tanking for several years in a row. This year, they’re trying to change their fortunes. The Rockets acquired Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Jock Landale and Jeff Green via free agency this summer.
There are a lot of similarities between those players. They’re all hard-nosed veterans who commit to defense. They’ll all be major upgrades to this team’s rotation as well. With that said, there’s another commonality between them: inefficient shooting. Without Porter Jr., the Rockets should be one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA next year.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers & Houston Rockets Updates
Unless they add Hield, that is. There are reservations here – the Rockets would be sending out a first-round pick in exchange for an expiring contract. If they want to win games this year badly enough, they’ll do it anyway. The Rockets would have an inside track on retaining Hield in free agency next summer. Should the Pacers give up that inside track?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
Trading for Porter Jr. will feel wrong. Only, the Pacers aren’t trading for Porter Jr. – they’re trading for his contract. This is a player with previous incidents on his record. As a result, the Rockets built several contingencies into his deal. The Pacers would release him next summer and free up considerable cap space.
Of course, they wouldn’t move Hield for cap relief – he’s expiring after this season anyway. The Pacers do this deal for the first-round pick. In other words, their interest in this deal will be directly linked to their perception of their situation. Do the Pacers also want to take a step forward next season? If so they’ll pass on this deal.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers & Houston Rockets Updates
By contrast, if the Pacers are more concerned with the future, this is a golden opportunity to add a first-rounder. It’s not normal for a team to acquire a first for an expiring deal – the Pacers would be capitalizing on the Rockets’ desperation. Otherwise, they’d be releasing Porter Jr. as soon as possible – he has no place in the National Basketball Association.
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