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.”
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Porter, who joined the Rockets in January 2021, was drafted by Cleveland in the 2019 first round. But due to some 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. But 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, with future seasons 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 (CBA), the league has the jurisdiction to potentially void the contract entirely, including this season.
Thus, rather than immediately cutting ties, it could behove the Rockets to await the NBA’s investigation and its policy conclusions. In the meantime, as Marks notes, Houston could potentially 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.
Statement from the #Rockets
“We are in the process of gathering information surrounding the matter involving Kevin Porter Jr. We have no further comment at this time.”
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) September 11, 2023
I would not expect any discipline against Kevin Porter Jr. until there is a full investigation by the NBA.
The Rockets can certainly tell Porter Jr. to stay away during training camp.
Porter Jr. signed a four-year $72.6M rookie extension last October.
The league has…
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) September 11, 2023
Statement from NBA spokesman Mike Bass:
“We are aware of the reports regarding Kevin Porter Jr. The league office is in contact with the Houston Rockets and in the process of gathering more information.” https://t.co/RuxWHhIOb7
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) September 11, 2023
Per the NBA’s CBA, a player does not have to be convicted of a crime to be in violation of the NBA’s domestic violence policy. The league conducts its own investigations and Commissioner Adam Silver has authority to enact discipline based on findings. https://t.co/qT99E6P9gN
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) September 11, 2023
Kysre Gondrezick was taken to the hospital with at least one broken bone and bruising, per @NBCNewYork
“A preliminary investigation on scene determined that a known individual struck her multiple times upon her body and placed his hands around her neck.” pic.twitter.com/OITQsufLpI
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 11, 2023
BREAKING: Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. was arrested after attacking his girlfriend inside a midtown Manhattan hotel room, according to senior law enforcement officialshttps://t.co/wKItOuccgA
— NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) September 11, 2023
JUST IN: Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. was arrested in New York City for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick, police sources say. https://t.co/QwVefFTLnn
— ABC News (@ABC) September 11, 2023
“Destruction can be beautiful to some people. Don’t ask me why. It just is. And if they can’t find anything to destroy, they destroy themselves.”
— Felicia Stone (@FeliciaPStone) September 11, 2023
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