At Monday’s media day ahead of training camp for the 2021-22 season, third-year Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. did not hold back when asked about the importance of his January trade from Cleveland to Houston.
“This organization saved my life, potentially,” said Porter, who recently turned 21 years old. “I just love being here, and I want to be here for a while. I needed new scenery, [from] where I was at. They picked me up when I was down. Definitely a breath of fresh air.”
Porter was acquired from Cleveland via trade following a series of troubling off-court incidents. Given the limited investment of a heavily protected future second-round draft pick, the Rockets viewed the 2019 first-round pick as a low-risk, high-upside gamble to help launch their rebuild. They also saw their “support system” for Porter, led by veteran assistant coach John Lucas, as ideal for personal development.
.@Kevinporterjr: “This organization saved my life. I just love being here and I want to be here for awhile..I needed a new scenery (from) where I was at. They picked me up when I was down.” pic.twitter.com/4m0nN27wbM
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) September 27, 2021
So far, the partnership has worked exactly as intended. Porter averaged 16.6 points and 6.3 assists in 32.1 minutes per game with Houston last year, and on Monday, he credited close relationships with Lucas and head coach Stephen Silas as being instrumental in that success.
“They gave me love and confidence in myself, and motivation to become a better player and person,” he said. “They’ve invested a lot in me, and I try to give them my all to repay them in some way.”
With veteran John Wall now on the sidelines, Porter begins2021-22 as Houston’s full-time starter at point guard — where he will start in a new-look backcourt alongside top rookie and close friend Jalen Green.
