The Cleveland Cavaliers are moving on from forward Kevin Porter Jr. after a series of issues, according to reports by The Athletic and BasketballNews.com.
In the most recent incident, which proved to be the last straw for the organization, Porter allegedly was involved in a confrontation with general manager Koby Altman after his locker was given to newly acquired Taurean Prince. Porter allegedly began shouting and threw food, according to reports, and escalated to the point where he was screaming about “modern-day slavery.”
The team is currently working to find a trade for Porter, according to reports.
Porter was not at practice Monday afternoon.
BREAKING: Kevin Porter Jr. will be traded or released after a physical confrontation with Cavs GM Koby Altman for giving his locker to Taurean Prince. KPJ was throwing food.
Porter Jr. has not played after an arrest in Nov. for a improper handling of a firearm.
(@joevardon) pic.twitter.com/pKTPGjwYzx
— NBA Buzz (@OfficialNBABuzz) January 18, 2021
Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff declined to comment on the incident, saying he’d leave questions involving Porter to Altman, but he did reflect on his time in Cleveland.
“I genuinely believe we did our best to make it work,” Bickerstaff said. “All we want is the best for him moving forward, no matter what that looks like, we want the best for Kevin.”
Bickerstaff said he thinks the players will be “disappointed” to see the team part ways with Porter.
Porter was arrested in November on weapons charges after he was involved in a crash in Mahoning County. Troopers said he was fatigued and he lost control of the vehicle, crashing on Interstate 76 near state Route 534.
Troopers found a .45-caliber handgun and suspected marijuana inside of the car. Porter was arrested for improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle—a felony— failure to control and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
Following that incident, the Cavaliers issued a statement saying they were aware of the situation and were continuing to address it with him privately.
