Everyone does not always get a second chance. Some people think Kevin Porter Jr. does not deserve that opportunity. However, Steve Ballmer and the Clippers are willing to give him one.
It might be a risk, but with Paul George no longer on the roster, Los Angeles has big shoes to fill, and Porter has the opportunity to be the guy.
The last time we saw him in the NBA, Porter averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 assists, and 5.3 rebounds as a 22-year-old. He was one of the most promising young players in the game before being arrested in 2023 for assaulting his then-girlfriend.
The incident resulted in a guilty plea deal, his release from the NBA, and a year of playing professionally overseas in Greece.
“There is a lot of reassurance coming back from where things were unknown, and they gave me a lot of hope, and I am lucky for the chance that they gave me,” said Porter on his opportunity to play for the Clippers.
Porter is lucky to be back, and he has to do everything in his power not to mess up this time around. He claims he “had options,” but there is a chance Los Angeles might have been the only team willing to commit. A long-term relationship with the man in charge could have been his saving grace.
“Steve has known me since grade school, and I had the opportunity to play with his son back then on our local team in Seattle,” said Porter. “I have always had the utmost respect for Steve, and when I found out he wanted to own a basketball team, I was like, what are the odds if I were to play for him? Fast forward ten years, I am here with him as the owner of the Clippers, and I play for him. It was definitely a full circle moment coming back here, and I thank Steve for everything.”
Porter is “going to do everything to stay” this time around and is determined to be a “part of this family for as long as (he) can be.” Playing in the NBA is a privilege, and there have been many players who were talented enough to stick around but failed in other categories. Porter feels like “this is the best version” of himself, but he is on thin ice, and any slip-up could ultimately result in the end of his time in the league.
“I have a program set just to keep things easy for me off the court. I also have had my own little set up since last September, and I have been honoring that,” said Porter. “I have been familiar with counseling all my life, and it is definitely something I do have as a resource any time it is needed.”
The team and the player will likely face some backlash when the season begins, and Porter could still face discipline from the league in the form of a suspension. If he keeps his head down and does all the right things off the court, this could be a new beginning that allows him to have a long career in the NBA.
On the court, things should work themselves out. Porter is a great basketball player; his skill is the primary reason he is getting another chance. He is versatile enough to play either guard position and can also slide over and play forward. Porter is an extremely athletic player who can shoot, pass, rebound, dribble, and defend with the best of them. If everything goes according to plan mentally, there is no doubt he will succeed physically.
“Whatever Ty (Lue) says to do, I am going to get on the front line and have his back through it all,” said Porter. “The assignment is to help win and get a championship.”
Ballmer and the Clippers are taking on a massive risk that could severely damage the franchise’s reputation, but if Porter is on his best behavior, the move makes sense from a basketball perspective.
Benjamin Verbrugge is a reporter for News4usonline who studied journalism at CSU Dominguez Hills. “Sports have brought me much joy throughout my life, and I want to give a little back to something that has meant so much to me.” Email Benjamin at benverbrugge8@gmail.com.
Discover more from News4usonline
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.