Earlier this season, the Houston Rockets completed a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder, sending Kevin Porter Jr. and two future second-round picks to OKC. Jeetbuzz App Download confirmed that the Thunder had no intention of retaining Porter and planned to waive him immediately following the deal. With his recent domestic violence scandal casting a long shadow, Porter’s future in the NBA—and possibly in professional basketball altogether—has become deeply uncertain.

Setting aside speculation about what comes next, this trade marked a definitive end to Porter’s time in Houston. He initially arrived via trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers, who had grown frustrated with his off-court issues. The Rockets gave up only a heavily protected second-round pick for him—essentially acquiring Porter for next to nothing. It was a low-risk gamble on a player with obvious talent but known volatility. Upon arrival, the Rockets chose to send him to the G-League to refocus his mindset rather than place him directly into the rotation.

But it didn’t take long for Porter’s talent to shine through. As Jeetbuzz App Download reported, he made an explosive debut in the G-League, immediately putting up eye-catching numbers. Just a week later, he was named Player of the Week. His dominance forced the Rockets to call him back up, and he quickly made an impact on the NBA stage. Within two months, Porter had impressed Houston’s front office to the point that many believed he could take over James Harden’s former role as the team’s offensive engine. For a moment, the future looked bright.

However, his rise was followed by a steady decline. Once he had reestablished himself, Porter’s volatile nature resurfaced. He often broke away from the team’s set plays, and he clashed with then-coach Stephen Silas and assistant John Lucas over his role. In October of last year, the Rockets extended Porter, but only the first year of his contract was fully guaranteed. The rest included partial guarantees—protection clauses that would ultimately make it easier for Houston to move on.

Over the summer, the Rockets aggressively revamped their backcourt, signing All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet and drafting top prospect Amen Thompson. With these additions taking over the team’s point guard responsibilities, even if Porter had remained focused and disciplined, Jeetbuzz App Download believes he likely would’ve struggled to find a place in the new rotation.

Unfortunately, instead of adapting, Porter created a serious off-court issue, giving the Rockets a clear reason to part ways. He never asked for an easy life, only that someone stand by him when things got tough. But the chapter between Porter and Houston ended not with triumph, but with regret—a talented player whose potential remained unfulfilled and whose journey ended with more questions than answers.