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On Nov. 1, the Houston Rockets announced that they have exercised the fourth-year contract option on guard Kevin Porter Jr. for next season, according to an NBA press release.
"He has appeared in 31 games with 28 starts as a Rocket while averaging 15.9 points, 6.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 three-pointers made," according to the press release. "Since the start of last season, he is one of 12 players averaging at least 15.0 ppg, 6.0 apg, 3.0 rpg and 2.0 3FGM."
The announcement of the extension comes as Porter is plagued with turnover woes to start his second season with Houston, according to Chron. The team, however, insists that the athletic guard from USC is essential to their rebuild.
Porter, 21, came to the Rockets via a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this year. For the Seattle native, it was a much-needed change of scenery from where he played as a rookie and he said that the trade potentially saved his life.
"This organization saved my life, potentially," Porter said, according to Chron. "I just love being here and I want to be here for a while. I needed a new scenery and they picked me up when I was down."
Rockets head coach Stephen Silas, Rockets player development coach John Lucas and Rio Grande Valley Vipers coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah each have helped Porter craft his game and manage his personal life, according to The Dream Shake.
"I changed my everyday life mechanics. Knowing my worth and value, all of that came with being here. I did not know my worth or value where I was before," Porter, said, according to The Dream Shake. "This move helped me a lot, and I am going to continue growing."
Porter can become a free agent in 2023, but hopes that he can put things together this season.
"Coming here was a complete 180 for me. You can feel the different energy just being in Houston and being a part of this family," Porter said, according to The Dream Shake. "I couldn’t grow without this move. Maybe I could. But it would have been a big wall versus a step."