In light of his arrest for domestic abuse last month, the Houston Rockets have informed Kevin Porter Jr. that he is not permitted to work in any capacity for the team.
Porter was taken into custody on September 11 following an alleged attack on his ex-girlfriend in a hotel room in New York City. She suffered a severe cut above her right eye and a shattered neck vertebra, according to the prosecution.
The 23-year-old Porter is scheduled to return to Manhattan court on October 16 after entering a not guilty plea to charges of felony assault and strangulation.
During Houston’s media day on Monday, general manager Rafael Stone stated, “The allegations against him are deeply troubling.” “Going back a few weeks, I told his reps he couldn’t play for the Houston Rockets as soon as I learned about the accusations. They realized, and he hasn’t been with the team or around the team or interacted with them since. He also won’t be in training camp or at media day today.
Other than that, Stone stated, the NBA will handle all matters pertaining to Porter and his circumstances in accordance with the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.
Stone stated, “The team’s remaining task is to assess the best course of action for our organization that still complies with the league’s domestic abuse policy.”
Prior to the 2018–19 season, Porter inked a four-year, $82.5 million contract with the Rockets, and it was anticipated that he would play a significant role in the team’s efforts to contend following a string of terrible seasons. When asked if he thought Porter would ever play for the team again, Stone said yes.
Stone remarked, “I can’t answer that and still follow the policy.” Thus, I believe that this is now a league issue.
