3 reasons the Rockets were smart in trading for Kevin Porter Jr.

With the Houston Rockets trading for embattled second-year guard Kevin Porter Jr., here are three reasons why the Rockets were wise to acquire the troubled shooter.

The Houston Rockets are going through a rebuild of sorts this season, which is the first time that can be said since the Rockets acquired James Harden in 2012. The Rockets brought in Victor Oladipo and a boat load of draft picks for Harden, who they dealt to the Brooklyn Nets, and also brought in John Wall to replace Russell Westbrook.

Oladipo’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season and most believe Wall will be a pit stop for the franchise, with the belief that the front office will use this season to improve Wall’s value around the league and ship him off when the season ends, much like the Oklahoma City Thunder did with Chris Paul in 2019-20. With that being the case, the focus for the Rockets has been on building for the future, which was kick-started with the haul of draft picks acquired by Rockets GM Rafael Stone.

Stone added young developmental pieces in Jae’Sean Tate and Mason Jones, who have given much to be excited about, while also signing Christian Wood, who has had the look of an All-Star. Another player the Rockets added to the fray is Kevin Porter Jr., who was dealt by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night.

Porter, who didn’t play for the 2020-21 Cavaliers, reportedly became upset after discovering that his locker was given to Taurean Prince, prompting him to throw food, a la J.R. Smith. Porter reportedly traded barbs with Cavs GM Koby Altman, prompting the Cavs to search for a new home for him.

It was reported that Altman and the Cavs were prepared to release him if they weren’t able to find a taker for him. With the Rockets having acquired him, let’s take a look at why the move was smart on the part of Rockets general manager Rafael Stone.

Next: No. 3