NBA
Kevin Porter Jr. arrested for assaulting his girlfriend: Why can’t the Rockets suspend him?
Kevin Porter Jr. was arrested and charged with assault and strangulation after an incident involving his WNBA-player girlfriend at a New York hotel.
Troubling news surfaced on Monday morning when Houston Rockets’ guard Kevin Porter Jr., was arrested and charged with assault and strangulation following an incident at a New York hotel. A spokesperson from the New York City Police Department confirmed the charges.
Police responded to a 911 call reporting an assault at 6:45 a.m., which led them to the scene. Kevin Porter Jr., aged 23, was taken into custody after a thorough investigation. He is facing two felony charges, according to sources close to the case.
Sources close to the case have revealed that the incident involved Porter’s girlfriend, a former WNBA player, although details surrounding the altercation have not been disclosed.
The police spokesperson provided insight into the severity of the incident, stating, “Upon arrival, officers were informed that a 26-year-old female sustained a laceration to the right side of her face and complained about neck pain. A preliminary investigation on scene determined that a known individual struck her multiple times upon her body and placed his hands around her neck.”
The injured woman was promptly transported to a hospital for medical evaluation, as her condition remained a matter of concern.
Following recent developments, the Houston Rockets have issued a concise statement saying that they are currently gathering information regarding the incident involving Kevin Porter Jr. They have declined to comment any further at this time.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has also taken notice of Porter’s arrest, and a spokesman, Mike Bass, has stated that the league office is in contact with the Houston Rockets and is in the process of gathering additional information.
Why can’t the Rockets suspend him?
The Houston Rockets cannot suspend Kevin Porter Jr. despite the recent incident. The Rockets are not authorized to take any disciplinary action against Porter until the NBA completes its investigation. The league’s domestic violence policy NBA Commissioner Adam Silver put Porter on administrative leave with pay for a reasonable period, depending on the circumstances of the case. Suppose Porter is found guilty of violating the domestic violence policy. In that case, the commissioner has the option to impose fines, suspensions, dismissal, or disqualification from any further association with the league and its teams.
Kevin Porter Jr.’s situation is further complicated by the point that he signed a four-year contract extension worth up to $82.5 million last season. However, the contract is only partially guaranteed due to Porter’s history of off-court issues. If the Rockets decide to waive Porter based on the results of this investigation or a criminal conviction, the franchise would only be responsible for the remaining $16.9 million in guaranteed money on his contract.
Both promise and controversy have marked Porter’s NBA journey. He faced suspension during his time at USC due to conduct issues and was eventually selected as the No. 30 pick in the 2019 draft. After playing his rookie season for the Cleveland Cavaliers, he did not join the team the following season due to personal reasons. He was eventually traded to the Rockets in January 2021.