The Rockets are currently positioned to have major salary cap room in the 2023 offseason, so it’s unclear if they plan to offer third-year point guard Kevin Porter Jr. a contract extension this offseason.
While the 21-year-old is eligible to receive a new deal, Houston may opt (for cap purposes) to wait on any offer until he becomes a restricted free agent after the 2022-23 season. By doing that, he would be on the books at a lower cap figure, and because Porter would be restricted, the Rockets could match any outside offer and still retain him. Nonetheless, that strategy carries its own risk — in that if Porter has a dynamic season, the price to keep him long-term could be higher than it is now.
Thus, Porter’s electric finish to 2021-22 could give general manager Rafael Stone and the rest of Houston’s front office something to think about. With veterans Christian Wood, Eric Gordon, and Dennis Schroder resting to finish the season, Porter has taken on an increased workload over the final two weeks, and the 2019 first-round draft pick has responded with one of the best stretches of his young NBA career.
In six games from Monday, March 28 through Friday, April 8, Porter has averaged 29.2 points, 7.7 assists, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in 37.9 minutes. He’s shooting 49.2% overall, 38.5% on 3-pointers, and 86.7% on free throws, and his turnovers are at a manageable 3.2 per game.
“He is starting to learn where to pick and choose his spots,” head coach Stephen Silas said of Porter after Friday’s close loss at Toronto.
“Where he can drive the ball,” Silas clarified. I thought the two-for-one that he got at the end of the game was huge to tie the game. He’s super confident. He’s growing. He’s definitely growing.”
It remains to be seen whether that recent growth is enough for Houston to take the risk of an early contractual commitment. However, it’s certainly something for Stone and the front office to consider.
Porter and the Rockets will finish up their 2021-22 season when they host Atlanta at Toyota Center on Sunday. Tipoff is at 2:30 p.m. CDT.
Can we recognize this for a second? It almost doesn't seem real with how much of a step up these games have been. Legitimately changes the entire outlook for him and perhaps the future of this team in my eyes. https://t.co/AGPyh3fyAq
— Itamar (DGC) (@Itamar_17_10) April 9, 2022
