The Cleveland Cavaliers announced they are exercising their team option for Craig Porter Jr., bringing the undrafted guard back for his fourth season. Porter signed his first standard contract in February, 2024.
Porter is fresh off the best season of his career, appearing in 64 games and playing a career-high 17 minutes per game. He helped Cleveland navigate a bumpy start to the year by serving as an energizer off the bench. Porter averaged 4.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists last season.
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The Cavs will owe Porter $2.4 million next season. He’s now in the final year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Porter might be limited by his 6’1″ frame, but his playstyle is that of a player much larger. He’s one of the better offensive rebounders on the roster and is just as capable of blocking a shot as anyone not named Evan or Jarrett. This unique skillset has paved the way for Porter to be impactful despite not being a serious threat to score the ball.
There’s still room for CPJ to grow. At 26 years old, Porter is searching for a reliable jump shot that he trusts enough to use more than once a game. Porter shot a respectable 35.5% from deep last season but attempted three-pointers at one of the lowest rates in the league. He makes up for this by hustling on defense and generating turnovers. But his long-term viability will ultimately depend on his development as a shooter.
Porter’s fit next to James Harden and Donovan Mitchell is questionable. He doesn’t have the off-ball skills to space the floor and isn’t a strong enough creator to take touches away from them. Yet, as a backup guard who can eat innings during the regular season, Porter is one of the better options available to Cleveland. Simply retaining him is a move worth making.
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