Houston Rockets agree to contract extension with polarizing player
LET'S MAKE A DEAL
17 October 2022
LET'S MAKE A DEAL
The Houston Rockets were rumored to be in contract discussions with Kevin Porter Jr. this during the offseason and with just a few days left before the season opener, a 4-year deal was agreed upon for $82.5 million.
Extension has a unique structure that allows for significant upside for Porter Jr. and protections for the Rockets. The Rockets have invested tremendous time and energy into Porter Jr., on and off court and they’re showing a commitment to keep developing him as a cornerstone.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 17, 2022
Kevin Porter Jr's time with the Rockets hasn't been perfect and there have been some issues on and off the court. The fact the Rockets negotiated the deal to give themselves protection if things go sideways, should ease the concerns of Rockets fans. Multiple sources are reporting that only the first year of the deal is guaranteed.
NBA source confirms Kevin Porter Jr has agreed to a four-year extension worth $82.5 million. The first year is fully guaranteed, with partial guarantees throughout the contract. Kevin potentially tied to the Rockets for five years counting this season. First reported by @wojespn
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) October 17, 2022
Kevin Porter Jr. averaged over 15/PPG last season for the Rockets, and looks to be an important young piece for the franchise moving forward.
Up next: The Houston Rockets begin their season this Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks.
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
The home run by Peraza.
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.