Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman told Kevin Porter Jr. to clean out his locker after the second-year guard’s outburst against Altman and other team officials, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
The Cavs intend to trade or waive Porter, who has yet to appear in a game this season.
Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff was “shocked and disgusted” by what he heard during the Porter outburst, per The Athletic, which broke the news.
While Bickerstaff did not specifically say the Cavs intend to move on from Porter, the coach sure did make it sound like that’s the plan.
“We all want to see Kevin be successful. I still feel that way,” Bickerstaff told reporters. “So whatever it is that happens in the future for him, I hope nothing but the best for him. And it’s part of our responsibility as coaches to give everyone our all and try to make the best of every situation. I can say that we did that.”
More out of Cleveland
- Porter Jr. was reportedly upset after learning his locker had been taken over by Cavs newcomer Taurean Prince, acquired in a trade with the Nets. Porter’s locker had been moved to an area of the locker room where the end-of-bench and first-year players tend to reside, per reports.
- The decision to move Porter’s locker spot was to allow spacing and adhere to the NBA’s COVID-19 guidelines, per Spencer Davies of Basketball News. In the argument with Altman, per Davies, Porter allegedly referred to the decision as “modern-day slavery.”
- The Cavs may be willing to attach a big man to a Porter trade, Davies added. While no specific names were mentioned, the Cavs may very well need to add a player to “sweeten” a deal involving KPJ.
- One opposing general manager told FortyEightMinutes he would not have an interest in a Porter trade. “I wouldn’t want a player like that on my team,” the GM said.