Thunder acquire second-round picks, Kevin Porter Jr. from Rockets; expected to release him
The Thunder acquired two second-round picks from the Rockets on Tuesday for taking on the contract of guard Kevin Porter Jr., who’s facing an assault charge for allegedly attacking his girlfriend.
The Thunder, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported, is expected to immediately release Porter once the trade is processed. OKC, in a procedural move, will have to pay the $16.9 million of guaranteed money remaining on Porter’s contract.
In addition to acquiring two second-round picks, the Thunder also whittled down its roster by trading center Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and guard Victor Oladipo to the Rockets. Houston saved $5.5 million in the trade.
Robinson-Earl, a second-round pick in 2021, started 56 games for the Thunder over the last two seasons but was seen as a likely training camp cut given the depth of OKC’s roster.
Robinson-Earl averaged 6.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in 43 games last season. He missed two months with a severe ankle sprain and struggled to regain his form upon returning.
Oladipo, acquired in an offseason trade, never reported to the Thunder and was always expected to be released or rerouted.
The Rockets will reportedly send a 2027 second-round pick via the Timberwolves and a 2028 second-round pick via the Bucks to the Thunder.
The Thunder now has 16 players signed to standard contracts, including three players on two-way deals. The Thunder still has to cut one player on a standard contract before the season starts next week.
2023-24 Thunder roster
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: $33.4 million
Davis Bertans: $17 million
Lu Dort: $15.3 million
Chet Holmgren: $10.4 million
Vasilije Micic: $7.7 million
Josh Giddey: $6.6 million
Kenrich Williams: $6.2 million
Cason Wallace: $5.3 million
Aleksej Pokusevski: $5 million
Ousmane Dieng: $4.8 million
Jalen Williams: $4.6 million
Tre Mann: $3.2 million
Jaylin Williams: $2 million
Isaiah Joe: $2 million
Aaron Wiggins: $1.8 million
Jack White: $1.8 million
Lindy Waters III: two-way
Olivier Sarr: two-way
Keyontae Johnson: two-way
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder acquire Kevin Porter Jr. from Rockets; expected to waive him
