Miami

Should Miami Heat steer clear when it comes to Kevin Porter?


Q: It’s tempting because Houston is offering draft picks attached to Kevin Porter Jr. Miami could use those picks for a Damian Lillard trade, pay Porter Jr his salary, then waive him. A win, win? – Rodney.

A: No. It’s not tempting. It’s revolting, disturbing and disgusting if the felony assault and strangulation charges against Kevin Porter Jr. are upheld, or, as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday, “the allegations here are horrific. No question about it.” So, yes, there are salary-cap gymnastics that could be put into play if Porter is banned from the league, with only $16.9 million guaranteed on the remainder of his salary. But until the case is resolved, and until the NBA acts regarding suspension or banishment, you then would have the player’s name associated with your franchise. There has to be more to a franchise’s dignity – or, dare we say it? Culture – than merely being able to acquire draft capital and perhaps a certain amount of salary-cap relief. The Heat have had ample opportunity previously to acquire Kevin Porter Jr. They consistently passed. They should again. Yes, innocent until proven guilty. But it doesn’t mean an outside team needs to take on that burden.



Source link