Kevin Porter Jr.'s agents won the headline: The Rockets and Porter Jr. agreed to terms on a four-year, $82.5 million contract extension.
However, the Rockets won the negotiation with a contract that gives them significant protections with a player that at points has been distracted and a distraction. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN was first with the news, but the details that followed fleshed out the deal.
Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr., has agreed on a four-year, $82.5 million contract extension, his agent Sam Permut of @RocNationSports tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/3EB2ymuwaw
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 17, 2022
Kevin Porter Jr.’s four-year extension is only guaranteed for $15.86 million, all in Year 1, sources said. The contract includes June trigger dates after first season, but the Rockets can essentially release Porter at any point without further pay up to the $82.5M. https://t.co/A806sRcnaE
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 17, 2022
There are protections in the first year of the extension that, if markers are met, can lead to partial guarantees in the future.
This can be seen as a win for both sides, and a contract like this could incentivize Porter to keep his focus on and off the court.
Porter averaged 16.5 points and 6.2 assists a game last season for the Rockets, an athletic secondary shot creator in the backcourt next to Jalen Green. Porter is a quality shooter, especially on pull-ups, and took over half his shots from beyond the arc last season, hitting 37.5%, but he can also put the ball on the floor and create opportunities for others. He’s also a solid defender.
However, there is a long history of immaturity and incidents that rightfully concerns the Rockets. It goes back to the food-throwing tantrum in Cleveland’s locker room, but the big one was him leaving an arena at halftime of a game. He missed the start of a season due to personal reasons, there was a strip-club incident, he has been suspended for bumping a referee and he’s not always the most focused of players.
This non-guaranteed contract becomes the carrot — he’s got one guaranteed year at good money and can make a lot more if he shows the maturity the Rockets hope. It’s a unique contract structure, but one that is a good compromise between the sides.