H<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/houston-rockets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ouston Rockets </a>guard Kevin Porter Jr. made all the headlines again. Again, for all the wrong reasons. The troublemaking USC product can’t get out of his own way, and he went too far this time.



According to reports, Porter Jr. brutally assaulted his girlfriend, up to the point where she had to run into the hallway all drenched in blood. Apparently, he waked her up by punching her with a close fist.



That’s why the Houston Rockets are reportedly exhausting all avenues to get rid of the former <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cleveland-cavaliers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> guard. However, the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> might take matters into its own hands.



<h2>Rockets Want To Trade Kevin Porter Jr., But He Might Be Out Of The League</h2>



“The Houston Rockets are working to trade guard Kevin Porter Jr. in the wake of his charges of felony assault and strangulation due to an alleged attack on his girlfriend,” Shams Charania of The Athletic reported.



“Adam Silver could put him on administrative leave, but certainly his future in Houston is very much in jeopardy,” added Adrian Wojnarowski. “Going back a number of years to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, problems have followed him. There’s no question Kevin Porter Jr.’s future, not just with the Rockets, but in the NBA is very much in peril.”


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If the reports are true, then there’s no place for a guy like Kevin Porter Jr. here, and we don’t mean just in the National Basketball Association, but in society as a whole.

Rockets have a plan for Kevin Porter Jr. over disturbing assault case

Rockets have a plan for Kevin Porter Jr. over disturbing assault case - Bolavip US

miniaturas

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/houston-rockets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Houston Rockets</a> star Kevin Porter Jr. only seems to make the news for bad reasons. Dating back to his days at USC, the talented guard has always found a way to get in trouble, each time worse than the other.



Guns, drugs, character issues, and whatnot have raised several questions about Porter Jr in the past. Now, he’s taken things way too far, allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, Kysre Gondrezick.



Should this prove to be true, there’s no denying that the former <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cleveland-cavaliers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> guard should never set foot on an <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA </a>court again, especially with all the gruesome details that have come to light.



<h2>Kevin Porter Jr’s Assault Case Is Mind-Blogging</h2>



“Assistant Manhattan District Attorney Mirah Curzer said Porter has a history of abusing Gondrezick, including an incident in which he rammed his car into hers,” reported ABC Houston. “Prosecutors said Porter didn’t stop until Gondrezick ran out into the hallway covered in blood.”



“According to a criminal complaint, Gondrezick told police that Porter punched her repeatedly in the face with a closed fist, causing an inches-long gash above the right eye, bruising, and substantial pain to her face,” added AP.



“Gondrezick, 26, said Porter also wrapped his hands around her neck and strangled her, causing her to have difficulty breathing, redness and bruising to her neck, and loss of motion to her left arm,” continued the report. “Hospital testing showed that Gondrezick sustained a fractured vertebra in her neck, the criminal complaint said.”


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There have already been reports about the NBA putting him on administrative leave while they conduct an investigation, and there’s simply no place for this in sports or anywhere in society.

Prosecutors reveal gruesome details of Kevin Porter Jr.'s assault case

Prosecutors reveal gruesome details of Kevin Porter Jr.'s assault case - Bolavip US

Nobody in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> seems to like or respect <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/houston-rockets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Houston Rockets</a> guard Dillon Brooks. Sill, the former <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/memphis-grizzlies" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Memphis Grizzlies</a> guard was one of the best players in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.



Brooks does a whole of trash-talking, failing to back it up on the court more often than not. His antics have been so tiring that even his own home fans have booed him from time to time.



Nonetheless, the Canadian troublemaker couldn’t care less about his reputation. If anything, he claims he’s just like<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Los Angeles Lakers</a> legend Kobe Bryant, who created the ‘Black Mamba’ character.



<h2>Dillon Brooks Wants To Be Like Kobe Bryant</h2>



“It’s just a persona, people love it. I’ve grown to love it myself. It’s just like Kobe Bryant,” he told HoopsHype. “R.I.P. to Kobe Bryant how he had to figure out how to create a Black Mamba, a different persona when he comes out on the court.”



“So I guess that’s my persona, the villain, just on the court. But I’m a loving, caring guy who loves my kids, love my family, love my teammates,” he added.



Well, that’s one way to put it. If he talks about embracing a different personality when he’s on the court, then we get the similarity. Other than that, well, it’s a huge stretch.

Dillon Brooks compares himself with Kobe Bryant

Dillon Brooks compares himself with Kobe Bryant - Bolavip US

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/philadelphia-76ers">Philadelphia 76ers</a> have fallen short of expectations in the last few seasons, but things could get worse. While <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/james-harden">James Harden</a> made it clear he wants out, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/joel-embiid">Joel Embiid</a>‘s future also looks up in the air.



The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba">NBA</a> MVP of last year has deleted references to the city of Brotherly Love on social media, which may be a minor detail, but it still made noise. In the meantime, he’s been linked to other teams.



The New York Knicks are reportedly trying to find ways to improve their roster and have been linked with the big man recently. However, the Sixers star may also have an under-the-radar suitor.



<h2>Rumor: Rockets are a team to watch for Joel Embiid</h2>



According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the Houston Rockets are a dark-horse candidate to trade for Joel Embiid. Ime Udoka’s presence could be key, as long as the 29-year-old wants to leave, of course:



(Via Rockets Wire)



“Another team is Houston, just because of the bond between Joel and Ime [Udoka]. Maybe in the next year or so… because obviously, if Joel stays this season and plays it out, that’s one thing. But moving forward, I do think New York and Houston are the two teams to watch if Joel said, ‘I want to leave, too.’”


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Losing Embiid would obviously be a huge blow for the Sixers, whose championship aspirations practically rely on the France internacional. However, we’ll have to wait and see whether he actually considers to leave the team.

NBA Trade Rumors: There's a dark-horse candidate to get Joel Embiid

NBA Trade Rumors: There's a dark-horse candidate to get Joel Embiid - Bolavip US

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a> wanted to give <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kobe-bryant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kobe Bryant</a> a chance to win another <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA </a>championship. They brought in Steve Nash and Dwight Howard, hoping to put together a superteam, but that wasn’t the case.



Injuries and poor chemistry derailed the Lakers‘ once-promising season, and Howard failed to live up to the standard and expectations. He ended up leaving on bad terms after just one season.



Now, looking back, the former Defensive Player of the Year acknowledged he made a mistake by leaving to join the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/houston-rockets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Houston Rockets</a>, stating that he thought James Harden was like a young Kobe.



<h2>Dwight Howard Thought James Harden Was Like A Young Kobe</h2>



“I looked at him [James Harden] like a younger version of Kobe,” Howard said. “I don’t know why I was thinking that. No disrespect to James, but I was thinking that at the time that me, and James could be a new version of Kobe and Shaq— The Lakers’ decision was solely based on I felt like me and James would have been better at the time than me and Kobe.”



“If I would’ve sat down and really thought about my decisions without being in my emotions, I probably would’ve stayed in LA,” Superman added.


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Needless to say, things didn’t work out the way Howard expected. At least he got a chance to redeem himself in the eyes of Lakers fans, helping them win a ring in 20202.

Dwight Howard blames James Harden for leaving Kobe and the Lakers - Bolavip US

Dwight Howard blames James Harden for leaving Kobe and the Lakers

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/philadelphia-76ers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philadelphia 76ers</a> have knocked on the door of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> championship contention for quite a while, but not even pairing up <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/james-harden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Harden</a> with Joel Embiid has been enough to get over the hump.



Harden is reportedly looking to force his way out to play for the Los Angeles Clippers, but the latter don’t seem to be that serious about making a big offer for him.



With that in mind, Bleacher Report’s NBA staff came up with a very interesting trade idea. Given that Harden is unlikely to be traded, they could ramp up their defense with a trade for a <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/houston-rockets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Houston Rockets </a>role player.



<h2>NBA Rumors: Sixers Could Trade For Jae’Sean Tate</h2>



(Via Bleacher Report)



“Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Jae’Sean Tate



Houston Rockets Receive: Danuel House Jr., Furkan Korkmaz, Philadelphia’s 2027 second-round pick, Portland’s 2029 second-round pick



Tate’s shaky outside shot renders him less than plug-and-play, but he’s an excellent value proposition. Knee and ankle injuries limited him to 31 games last season, and he has since toppled down the Rockets’ depth chart following the arrivals of Dillon Brooks, Amen Thompson, Fred VanVleet and Cam Whitmore, not to mention the emergence of Tari Eason.



Landing Tate for two seconds and two fringe-rotation players is (inter)stellar business. He brings defensive pressure up and down the perimeter, some spot ball-handling and shot better than 53 percent on drives last season.”


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While this might not be the most exciting transaction, it could end up having a major impact, as the Sixers already have more than enough scoring and could use more stoppers right now.

NBA Rumors: Sixers could land a stellar defender at a reasonable price - Bolavip US

NBA Rumors: Sixers could land a stellar defender at a reasonable price

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Los Angeles Lakers</a> finally seem to be in a position to challenge for an <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba">NBA</a> championship. <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james">LeBron James</a> won’t stay forever, so the purple and gold know they cannot waste any more second.



Rob Pelinka continued with the great job done in February by making more moves this offseason, aiming to build a team that can help The King win his second ring in LA.



It took some time, since the front office made many mistakes in the roster building before it could set up a team that can aspire to succeed. But it was also lucky it didn’t lose an important player in the open market.



<h2>Austin Reaves revealed he came close to two other teams before the Lakers</h2>



In an appearance on on ‘ALL THE SMOKE’ with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Austin Reaves revealed the Houston Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs came close to signing him as a free agent, but that his desire has always been to stay in Los Angeles:



“I really wanted to be in LA the whole time. There were a couple situations that were close, but like I said I really wanted to be in LA. LA feels like home to me so that’s really where I wanted to be.”



<h2>Austin Reaves says he turned down Pistons in 2021 to join the Lakers</h2>



“It feels great. Like I said everything comes full circle and all I needed was an opportunity and I knew that. I knew what I was capable of doing. You know the skillset, the IQ, stuff like that. So it was really just about my agency putting me in a good position to have all of that. We could’ve got drafted 42nd to Detroit but kind of declined that to kind of put me in LA for a better spot,” Reaves said about going undrafted in 2021, via Lakers Nation.



“So basically, we tiered teams, best fit for me. And L.A. was I think two on the list at the time, Milwaukee might have been one, but they were Tier 1… It was, like I said, really trying to put me in a position to be able to get a roster spot. We knew that there was a high interest for a two-way so we didn’t really have to press. That’s what everything in the draft would’ve been from 42 and on would’ve been basically a two-way agreement. So we didn’t have to press and I didn’t really have to hear my name called either. Obviously I wanted to, but it was all about playing the long game.”


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Reaves had a breakout season in 2022-23, earning a four-year, $53 million contract extension with the purple and gold. Now, the team hopes he can help LeBron challenge for another championship.

NBA Rumors: Two teams almost stole a key player from LeBron James' Lakers - Bolavip US

NBA Rumors: Two teams almost stole a key player from LeBron James' Lakers

Cam Whitmore was selected as the 20th overall pick in the 2023 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba">NBA </a>Draft. He is one of the players that the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/houston-rockets">Houston Rockets</a> and head coach Ime Udoka plan to use to strengthen the roster during the next 2023-2024 season.



The Houston Rockets not only drafted Whitmore in the recent draft, but they also have one of the Thompson twins, Amen Thompson. However, he was recently injured and is unlikely to play again during the 2023 Summer League.



The goal of the franchise is for their two picks to join the roster to start the regular season along with other veterans or experienced players such as Fred VanVleet, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dillon-brooks">Dillon Brooks</a>, Jeff Green, and Jock Landale.



<h2>What did Ben Sullivan say about Cam Whitmore?</h2>



Ben Sullivan, an assistant coach for Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, recently said about Cam Whitmore: “In Game 2, Cam was much calmer. I feel like he picked his spots where the ball was going to rotate, when to drive. He showed some really poised moments in the second game.”



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Asked Coach Sullivan the difference between Game 1 &amp; 2 for Cam Whitmore: "Game 2 Cam was much calmer. I feel like he picked his spots. Where the ball was gonna rotate, when to drive. He showed some really poised moments in the second game." 📺 <a href="https://t.co/gk1rtbQl9h">https://t.co/gk1rtbQl9h</a> <a href="https://t.co/I7t3TCPezP">pic.twitter.com/I7t3TCPezP</a>— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) <a href="https://twitter.com/JTGatlin/status/1678243843861528578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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The Houston Rockets won in Game 2 of the 2023 Summer League against the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/detroit-pistons">Detroit Pistons </a>by a score of 113-101. This was a display of Cam’s skills and other young players from the franchise. On day 5, they will play the Oklahoma City Thunder.

NBA: Rockets’ Cam Whitmore earns praise from Coach Sullivan - Bolavip US

NBA: Rockets’ Cam Whitmore earns praise from Coach Sullivan

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/james-harden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Harden </a>is one of the greatest scorers in the history of the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA.</a> But as such, he also has a long history of shortcomings, the latest coming with the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/philadelphia-76ers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philadelphia 76ers.</a>



Even so, Harden’s ego has often remained untouched. He always does what he wants, both on and off the court, and that’s how he’s handled every major career decision.



That’s why it wasn’t surprising to see that the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/houston-rockets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Houston Rockets</a> were actually a possibility for his next destination, and while Jalen Green didn’t seem too excited about that.



<h2>Jalen Green Wasn’t So Sure About A James Harden Comeback</h2>



“I think it can play both ways,” Green said on ‘Podcast P’. “It can help and hurt at the same time. I haven’t really talked to him too much about the rumors; I’m with you on that.”



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">"I think it can play both ways… It can help and hurt at the same time. I haven&apos;t really talked to him too much about the rumors." Jalen Green on the rumors of James Harden possibly returning to the Rockets this offseason 👀 (via <a href="https://twitter.com/PodcastPShow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PodcastPShow</a>)<a href="https://t.co/dxxLRRUQCj">pic.twitter.com/dxxLRRUQCj</a>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPointsApp/status/1660701457878794250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>Harden Won’t Be Back In Houston Because Of Jalen Green’s Comments</h2>



Notably, the former MVP didn’t care for those comments. So, once again, driven by his ego, he pretty much shut the door on any potential comeback to the Rockets, per Kelly Iko:



“[James Harden] caught wind of Jalen’s podcast with Paul George, and he wasn’t too keen on some of the things Jalen Green was saying… For [Jalen] to say ‘it could be good, it could be bad,’ [James] didn’t like that very much,” Iko said.


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Green didn’t even take a shot at him; he just told the truth. Having a ball-dominant veteran next to a bunch of young players looking to develop could hurt their growth; that’s just a fact. Fortunately for them, that will no longer be the case.

The head-scratching reason why James Harden didn't want to return to Houston - Bolavip US

The head-scratching reason why James Harden didn't want to return to Houston

It’s not a secret that the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/houston-rockets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Houston Rockets</a> want to get <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/james-harden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Harden</a> back. They want to compete for an <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA </a>championship and simply aren’t good enough right now.



Harden was obviously one of the greatest players to ever wear that jersey. And even though he didn’t leave the team on good terms, they’re willing to bury the hatchet.



However, as much as they would love to have him back, they know he could still stay with the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/philadelphia-76ers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philadelphia 76ers</a>, which is why they’ve put together a list of potential targets in case they fail to get him.



<h2>Houston Rockets Have Multiple Targets</h2>



(Transcript via Evan Sidery)



“Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez from the Milwaukee Bucks; Fred VanVleet from the Toronto Raptors; Bruce Brown from the Denver Nuggets; Cam Johnson from the Brooklyn Nets; Jordan Clarkson from the Utah Jazz, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura from the Los Angeles Lakers; Dillon Brooks from the Memphis Grizzlies, Donte DiVincenzo from the Golden State Warriors and Jakob Poeltl from the San Antonio Spurs are all linked with the Rockets this offseason.



Houston projects to have around $60 million in cap space to reshape their roster for new head coach Ime Udoka.”



Truth be told, the Rockets might as well be better off with some of these targets, as Harden isn’t getting any younger, and he’ll take plenty of touches away from their rising stars.

Rockets have a plan B if they don't get James Harden back - Bolavip US

Rockets have a plan B if they don't get James Harden back

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers </a>were doomed and condemned to not even making the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> playoffs last season. Then, the front office worked its magic and gave <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LeBron James </a>a very good supporting cast.



The Lakers still were no match for the eventual champion Denver Nuggets, but they were quite close in all four losses, and it feels like they’re just a piece away from being a legit championship contender.



So, now that it’s become more than evident that <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/anthony-davis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anthony Davis</a> will never step up and be the alpha dog, the Lakers need to keep their youngins at all costs. And according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Rockets could look to steal a couple of those away.



<h2>NBA Rumors: Rockets Could Target Rui Hachimura And Austin Reaves</h2>



“Equipped with so much spending power, the most in the NBA, and a coach, Ime Udoka, that is popular among NBA players, the Rockets have not prioritized specific targets as much as a pool of players to pursue,” wrote Feigen.



“According to a person with knowledge of their thinking, they have interest in the Lakers’ Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves, the [Brooklyn] Nets’ Cam Johnson, the [Golden State] Warriors’ Donte DiVincenzo, the [Memphis] Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks, the [Toronto] Raptors’ Jakob Poeltl and the [Dallas] Mavericks’ Dwight Powell. Media reports have tied them to James Harden and Fred VanVleet,” the report added.



So, Rob Pelinka better get to work to make sure to have their rising stars locked in for years to come, as they were quite valuable in the playoffs and should be a part of their project for the future.

Houston Rockets