BREAKING: NBA Champion Reportedly Released
UPDATE: Otto Porter Jr. announced that he is retiring from the NBA.
UPDATE: The Utah Jazz have officially waived Otto Porter Jr. (via the NBA's transactions page).
Otto Porter Jr. began his season with the Toronto Raptors but was traded to the Utah Jazz in February.
He has not played in a game for the Jazz, and on Monday, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that Porter Jr. is now being waived.
Via Charania: "The Utah Jazz are waiving forward Otto Porter Jr., sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium."
Porter Jr. has played in 15 games (one start) this season and is averaging 2.6 points and 1.9 rebounds per contest while shooting 42.4% from the field and 34.8% from the three-point range.
Unfortunately, he will not be eligible for the playoffs since he was waived after the March 1 deadline.
Porter Jr. was initially the third pick in the 2013 NBA Draft out of Georgetown and is in his 11th season in the league.
In addition to Toronto and Utah, he has also spent time with the Washington Wizards, Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic.
His career averages are 10.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 47.7% from the field and 39.7% from the three-point range in 527 regular season games.
He has also appeared in 50 playoff games and helped the Warriors win the 2022 NBA Championship over the Boston Celtics.
Porter Jr. is only 30 years old and is an above-average three-point shooter, so he could be an excellent addition to many teams.
Even though he can not play in the 2024 playoffs, a team looking to finish the regular season strong would still be able to sign him.
