Houston Rockets Trade Kevin Porter Jr. to Oklahoma City Thunder, Receive Victor Oladipo and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
The Houston Rockets have made a significant trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder, sending Kevin Porter Jr. and two future second-round picks to OKC. According to sources, the Thunder will immediately waive Porter, freeing up roster space.
In return, the Rockets will acquire veteran guard Victor Oladipo and rookie forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. This move is expected to benefit both teams, as the Thunder will receive additional draft assets while the Rockets will save money on their salary cap.
As part of the deal, the Thunder will acquire a 2027 second-round pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves and a 2028 second-round pick from the Milwaukee Bucks. This trade allows OKC to gather more draft assets and, as part of the agreement, they will be responsible for paying the remaining $16.9 million of Porter’s guaranteed salary.
For the Rockets, this move will save them $5.5 million in salary, providing some financial relief. However, it is important to note that Porter’s future in the NBA is uncertain following his recent arrest for an alleged attack on his girlfriend. While prosecutors have dropped one of the assault charges, he still faces charges of second-degree strangulation and third-degree assault. Moreover, his four-year contract extension worth up to $82.5 million is only partially guaranteed due to his history of off-court issues.
On the other hand, Oladipo is on an expiring contract worth $9.5 million and is currently rehabilitating a torn patellar tendon in his left knee. The Rockets will hope for a strong recovery from Oladipo and potentially explore a contract extension.
As for Robinson-Earl, the young forward has a $1.9 million guarantee for this season and a $2 million team option for next year. The Rockets will evaluate his performance and decide whether to exercise the team option for the 2022-2023 season.
This trade also enhances the Thunder’s draft capital, bringing their total number of first-round picks to 15 and second-round picks to 22 over the next seven years. OKC continues to prioritize building through the draft and acquiring young talent.
Overall, this trade signifies a strategic move for both teams. The Rockets aim to bolster their roster with the addition of Oladipo and Robinson-Earl, while the Thunder continue to accumulate future draft assets. As the NBA continues to evolve, it will be intriguing to see how this trade shapes the futures of both teams involved.
