Rockets GM Rafael Stone thrilled by progress of Kevin Porter Jr., KJ Martin
Houston general manager Rafael Stone says he’s very happy with the performances of second-year guard Kevin Porter Jr. and rookie forward KJ Martin during their stint at the NBA G League’s Florida bubble. Both are being recalled to the Rockets over the All-Star break.
While the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (Houston’s affiliate) did qualify for next week’s G League playoffs, the Rockets are still bringing both players back to Houston now. It’s part of a plan to better integrate them with the NBA team before the 2020-21 season resumes next Thursday.
In 15 games with the Vipers, Porter averaged 24.1 points (44.8% FG), 7.3 assists, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 36.0 minutes per game. He’s largely played point guard for Rio Grande Valley, and he’ll initially slide in as the backup to John Wall when he reports to the Rockets.
On Porter, here’s what Stone told Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston:
When we acquired him we laid out that we wanted him to play through the break, which he’s done. We had very specific goals in mind for how he wanted him to play, what we wanted him to try and achieve. We’re extraordinarily happy with him. He did all of that.
Part of the plan was for him to rejoin the team, post [All-Star] break. We’re going to be able to have one practice. Practice time in the NBA is extraordinarily limited. So he’ll be able to practice with the team and join us. He’s a very young player, a very talented player, and hopefully he can contribute a bit.
Rockets GM Rafael Stone says the team is recalling Kevin Porter Jr and KJ Martin from the G League. They will play with the Rockets after the All-Star break. On Porter: “When we acquired him we laid out that we wanted him to play through the break which he’s done. We had very…” pic.twitter.com/VBt7LdXjW2
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 6, 2021
For the Rockets, Porter was the highest-profile player on RGV’s roster. After being selected in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft, the 6-foot-4 lefty averaged 10.0 points in 23.2 minutes per game during his rookie season with the Cavaliers. However, his 2020-21 activities in Cleveland were extremely limited due to numerous personal issues.
Since Houston’s trade for Porter in mid-January, head coach Stephen Silas has stressed the importance of a slow reintegration plan, and time at the developmental bubble near Orlando was part of that process.
Now, after a month’s worth of games, the Rockets (11-23) believe Porter is ready to contribute again at the NBA level. With the team entering the All-Star break on a 13-game skid, they could certainly use a spark.
As for Martin, the athletic 6-foot-6 forward averaged 17.5 points (47.9% FG), 11.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 31.5 minutes per game. While he missed time in recent days with a minor ankle sprain, he appears ready to report to the Rockets out of the All-Star break, as well.
Regarding Martin’s contributions, Stone told Berman:
KJ did great, very similarly. He did great in the bubble. We had very specific goals for him, as well, and he was able to achieve them. Unfortunately for him, he rolled his ankle a week or two ago. So he missed out on the end of the bubble, which is just unfortunate. Having said that, I think the experience for him was invaluable. We’ll just have to continue his progress with us in practice time and game time, whenever he can get it.
Martin, who was selected with the No. 52 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft’s second round, initially projects as a frontcourt depth option for the Rockets behind starters PJ Tucker and Christian Wood (if healthy).
Both Martin and Porter are only 20 years old and could figure heavily into Houston’s rebuilding plans, both for this season and beyond.
