The Tumultuous Timeline: 7 Key Facts About Kevin Porter Jr.'s Arrest, NBA Exile, And Surprising Return

As of December 10, 2025, the saga of professional basketball player Kevin Porter Jr. represents one of the most dramatic fall-and-rise stories in recent NBA memory, starting with a high-profile arrest that led to his immediate exile from the league. This comprehensive article delves into the full timeline, from the shocking September 2023 domestic violence charges in New York City to the complex legal fallout, his subsequent trade and waiving, a brief stint overseas, and his surprising, yet controversial, return to the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks for the 2024-2025 season. The details surrounding the incident, the guaranteed money in his contract, and the ultimate disposition of the case have created a complex narrative that continues to draw scrutiny from fans, media, and the NBA community. Understanding his career trajectory requires a deep dive into the off-court turmoil that overshadowed his undeniable talent on the court, including multiple past incidents that contributed to his precarious standing in the league.

Kevin Porter Jr.: Complete Biography and Career Timeline

Kevin Porter Jr., often referred to by his initials KPJ, is an American professional basketball player whose career has been marked by flashes of brilliance and significant off-court controversy.

• Full Name: Bryan Kevin Porter Jr.
• Date of Birth: May 4, 2000
• Place of Birth: Seattle, Washington
• Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
• Position: Shooting Guard / Point Guard
• College: University of Southern California (USC) (2018–2019)
• NBA Draft: Selected 30th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2019 NBA draft (immediately traded to the Cavaliers).
• NBA Teams:
  • Cleveland Cavaliers (2019–2021)
  • Houston Rockets (2021–2023)
  • Oklahoma City Thunder (2023 - traded and immediately waived)
  • Los Angeles Clippers (2024 - signed and traded)
  • Milwaukee Bucks (2024–Present)
• International Team: PAOK Thessaloniki (Greek Basket League) (2024)

Porter Jr.'s journey from a promising first-round pick to a player facing career-ending legal challenges, and then back to the NBA, is a testament to the volatility of professional sports careers. His time with the Houston Rockets was the most productive of his career, highlighted by a four-year, $82.5 million contract extension signed in October 2022, a deal that would become central to his trade a year later.

The September 2023 Arrest and Legal Fallout

The defining moment of Kevin Porter Jr.'s professional crisis occurred on September 11, 2023, when he was arrested in New York City. The incident, a domestic violence dispute at a hotel, led to severe initial charges that threatened to end his NBA career permanently.

The Initial Charges: Assault and Strangulation

The arrest stemmed from an alleged physical altercation with his then-girlfriend, former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick. Porter Jr. was initially charged with second-degree assault and strangulation. The New York Police Department reported that the victim sustained a fractured neck vertebra and a deep cut above her right eye. The seriousness of the charges, particularly the strangulation charge, immediately put his status with the Houston Rockets and the entire NBA in jeopardy.

The Dropped Charges and Legal Resolution

Over the following months, the legal landscape shifted dramatically. The most serious charge, the second-degree assault charge, was eventually dropped. This was a significant development, as the district attorney's office stated that the victim's fractured vertebra was determined to be a pre-existing condition, not a result of the September 2023 incident. Ultimately, Porter Jr.'s criminal record was cleared from the 2023 assault case, leading to a major turning point in his legal battle.

The NBA's Disciplinary Action

Despite the criminal charges being cleared, the NBA conducted its own independent investigation into the domestic violence incident. The league’s investigation concluded, resulting in a four-game suspension for Porter Jr. This suspension, announced after his return to the NBA, was a clear signal that the league acknowledged the severity of the circumstances, even without a criminal conviction.

The Rockets’ Trade, NBA Exile, and Surprising Comeback

The legal troubles triggered a chain of events that saw Kevin Porter Jr. move from a star player with a max contract to an exiled figure playing overseas, only to secure an unexpected return to the world's premier basketball league.

The Trade and Waiving by the Thunder

The Houston Rockets, unwilling to keep Porter Jr. on their roster following the arrest, sought to offload his contract. In October 2023, the Rockets traded Porter Jr. and two future second-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder. This move was essentially a financial transaction for the Thunder, who immediately waived Porter Jr. The complex structure of his $82.5 million contract extension meant that only a portion of the guaranteed money was owed, allowing the Rockets to clear their books and the Thunder to essentially "buy" the draft picks by absorbing the guaranteed salary. This transaction effectively removed him from an NBA roster.

The International Detour: Playing for PAOK

After being waived and facing an uncertain future in the NBA, Porter Jr. signed a contract to play in the Greek Basket League for PAOK Thessaloniki in 2024. This move was a necessary step to keep his professional career active and showcase his talent while the NBA's investigation and his legal situation played out. His time with PAOK was a period of professional rehabilitation, proving he could still perform at a high level.

The NBA Return: Clippers, Trade, and the Milwaukee Bucks

The most surprising chapter of his story began in the summer of 2024. Porter Jr. signed a contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, marking his official return to the NBA. However, his tenure with the Clippers was short-lived. Ahead of the trade deadline during the 2024-2025 season, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. This trade, which included a new 2-year contract with the Bucks, solidified his comeback to the league. Porter Jr. is now an active player on the Milwaukee Bucks roster, a move that has generated significant discussion about second chances and accountability in professional sports.

Analyzing the Impact on Kevin Porter Jr.'s Career and Future

The arrest and subsequent trade had a profound impact on Porter Jr.'s financial and professional status. He lost the majority of the guaranteed money on his lucrative Rockets contract, and his reputation as a volatile player was severely cemented. Entities like the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Milwaukee Bucks, and Los Angeles Clippers all played a role in the financial and roster gymnastics required to manage his contract. His return to the NBA, despite the four-game suspension, highlights the league's complex relationship with talent and off-court conduct. The fact that he was able to secure a new contract, albeit a much smaller one than his previous extension, shows that NBA teams are willing to take a calculated risk on a player with his unique skillset. However, the shadow of the domestic violence charges, the strangulation allegation, and his previous off-court incidents (including the 2020 gun and marijuana charges) will continue to follow his career. His future success will depend not only on his performance as a shooting guard and point guard but also on maintaining a clean slate moving forward. The NBA suspension serves as a constant reminder of the high standards of conduct expected from professional athletes.