It’s been two weeks since charges against Kevin Porter Jr. were dropped.
So why is the second-year shooting guard still not with the Cavaliers?
Well, the Cavs aren’t saying. And it’s pretty clear they don’t really want anyone to ask.
Let’s start in November, when Porter’s attorney, Alex Shapiro, said marijuana and gun charges stemming from Porter’s November arrest had been thrown out.
It’s now almost January. And Porter hasn’t played in any of the Cavs’ first four games. He is also listed as out Thursday at Indiana (3 p.m. EST, FOX Sports Ohio).
For fans of the Cavs, this is all a big mystery. General manager Koby Altman hasn’t said anything publicly about Porter since the incident.
For that matter, we still don’t know the whereabouts of former coach John Beilein, either. Last we heard, Beilein had been “reassigned” to the front office after stepping down in February. He supposedly worked primarily in a scouting role.
Remember, Beilein signed a five-year contract with the Cavs before last season. It was large deal.
Now, only those close to Beilein know what he’s doing — or if he’s still working for the Cavs. All we really can assume is the Cavs are still paying him, and paying him a lot.
Anyway, back to Porter.
Why are the Cavs also keeping everyone in the dark about this? Why is this such a big secret? He is a part of their young nucleus and one of the biggest reasons for hope.
Sometimes, pro sports organizations stay quiet on a matter and decide to keep things “in house” for reasons that aren’t really explained, or necessary. They tend to look at reporters as the only group of people who want to know something.
Frankly, a lot of reporters don’t really care one way or the other about the teams they cover. They aren’t asking questions because they themselves are dying to know. They are there for the fans.
So the Cavs need to realize it’s their paying customers who are wondering about Porter. Some of Porter’s teammates would probably like to know what’s going on, too.
WHAT NOW?
Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff did offer some insight a few weeks back, saying that Porter had returned to practice, or at least part of practice. But that was early in training camp. Porter didn’t play in the preseason and he’s been MIA in the Cavs’ 3-1 start.
At this point, the Cavs could probably use him. Kevin Love is hurt again, because that’s just the way it always goes, and rookie Isaac Okoro is not with the team after suffering a sprained foot in the second game. Okoro has also been placed in the NBA’s COVID-19 safety protocol.
So the Cavs are fairly shorthanded.
This isn’t to say Porter needs to be out there, no questions asked. Nor will we recap why he got into trouble in the first place (you can find that here). If the Cavs feel Porter still needs to be “disciplined,” well, that’s understandable.
But at least say so. Or at least say why he’s not with the team. If it really is strictly “personal reasons,” then try to offer a time frame on when he might return.
Otherwise, let the young man suit up and get back to the business of pro basketball. The Cavs need Porter and he likely needs the Cavs. He offers a lot of things they like — athleticism, energy, the ability to score and really get after it. Mostly, he offers promise.
Why he’s just sort of lingering out there is anyone’s guess. And if the Cavs don’t feel enough time has passed to put Porter back in the lineup, they need to give their fans an update as to why.
Everyone deserves at least that much.
