NYPD officers arrested Porter for assault and strangulation after allegedly beating up his girlfriend, former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick. According to sources, Gondrezick woke up to Porter hitting her in their hotel room, and officers found her with a cut on her face and neck pain from being choked.
One NBA insider doesn’t expect quick discipline for Porter from the league.
The Rockets shouldn’t wait for the NBA. They should cut Porter loose right away.
The NBA already has a big problem with domestic violence. They suspended Miles Bridges for domestic violence for the first 10 games this year — while claiming it was a 30-game suspension.
Rajon Rondo allegedly pointed a gun at his family last year. Jaxson Hayes got three years probation and 450 hours of community service after pleading no contest in a domestic violence case, and the Lakers eagerly signed him as a free agent.
Houston acquired Porter after Cleveland decided to part ways with their 2019 first-round pick when he had a food-throwing locker room tantrum. Earlier that year, he was arrested after flipping his SUV after a night of drinking and both marijuana and a gun were found in his car.
In Houston, Porter once left a game at halftime after arguing with a coach. But all of those pale in comparison to this ugly alleged assault.
This is a chance for the Rockets and new coach Ime Udoka to take a stand. Porter has had plenty of chances. His four-year $63M contract is guaranteed for just $1M past this season, meaning the Rockets can simply cut ties with him. They have a financial incentive to do it as early as possible, since they’re on the hook for $3M more if he’s on the team opening night.
But they should do it because Udoka wants to start the team fresh. And because Houston has plenty of talented young players besides Porter. And because it’s the right thing to do.
Domestic violence should be unacceptable in the NBA. Let’s hope the Rockets agree.