Controversial former Houston Rockets point guard finds new home

Some topics are sensitive. They deserve to be handled with care.

In the meantime, the media have responsibilities. We’re supposed to report the news. Let’s not beat around the bush anymore:

Former Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. signs a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Let’s talk about the basketball component of this story first.

In 2022-23, Porter Jr. averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game with a True Shooting % (TS%) of 56.5% for the Rockets.

This transfer is logical. It appears Westbrook will be leaving the Clippers as a free agent. The Clippers will miss his leadership play. As a much superior shooter, Porter Jr. has the opportunity to reduce his role as primary playmaker, while taking on those duties part-time.

That said, basketball has never been a problem for Porter Jr.

Now let’s move on to the elephant in the room.

Last year, Porter Jr. was charged with assault and strangulation.

For what it’s worth — and it’s worth something — Kysre Gondrezick is “adamant” that Porter Jr. didn’t hit her. Whose opinion should count more than his?

Out of respect for Gondrezick, we won’t elaborate on Porter Jr.’s recent legal troubles. We will add that Porter Jr. left a game and halftime and allegedly broke a DJ’s laptop.

The broader point? He has long been, at best, a complicated person. The Clippers have a good player here. Do they find a good fit?

This is a sensitive subject.