Second-year guard Kevin Porter Jr. and rookie forward KJ Martin should rejoin the Rockets when the 2020-21 regular season resumes after the All-Star break, per Houston coach Stephen Silas.
Both prospects have played in recent weeks with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, who are participating in the NBA G League’s abbreviated bubble season in Florida. The G League regular season ends on Friday.
While the Vipers could make the G League playoffs, it will be a single elimination format — which means they should still be available when their NBA parent team resumes its season March 11.
When asked about Porter’s outlook, here’s what Silas told Matt Thomas of flagship radio station SportsTalk 790 on Wednesday afternoon:
We need a little spark, and we’re looking for him to bring some of that spark. Kenyon Martin Jr., as well. … I’m expecting both guys to be at practice prior to the Sacramento game, and they’ll be integrated.
Houston (11-22) entered Wednesday on a 12-game losing streak, with the streak dating to the Feb. 4 ankle sprain suffered by star center Christian Wood. Thus, the Rockets could certainly use a jolt — though Wood is also expected to return from that injury in the near future.
ICYMI: Rockets HC Stephen Silas joined The Matt Thomas Show discussing the injury status of players like Eric Gordon, House & Nwaba, the all-star break & Harden's return. https://t.co/XKn5JUglju
— SportsTalk 790 (@SportsTalk790) March 3, 2021
Should the Vipers advance to the NBA G League Final on March 11, it could slightly delay the arrival of Houston’s prospect duo. However, the Rockets could choose to recall them, anyway, even if the Vipers are still playing.
In 13 games with the Vipers, Porter is averaging 24.0 points (44.3% FG), 6.9 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 35.8 minutes per game. He’s largely played point guard for Rio Grande Valley, and he’ll slide in as the backup to John Wall when he joins the NBA club. Now 20 years old, the 6-foot-4 guard was selected by Cleveland in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft before being traded to Houston in January.
Martin is averaging 19.4 points (49.3% FG), 12.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 34.0 minutes per game. An athletic 6-foot-6 forward, he will be a frontcourt option behind Danuel House Jr. and PJ Tucker. Like Porter, Martin is also just 20 years old.
