The Jazz are permitting Otto Porter Jr. to return home and consider his options.
Utah Jazz forward Otto Porter Jr. has returned to his home base to assess his options for the remainder of the season and will not accompany the team on Thursday night as they kick off the second half of their schedule against the Charlotte Hornets, sources close to The Athletic reveal.
The 30-year-old Porter, whom the Jazz acquired in a trade with the Toronto Raptors just two weeks ago involving Kelly Olynyk and Ochai Agbaji, is reportedly in good health and ready to hit the court, as per insider sources. His potential courses of action include entertaining a contract buyout from the Jazz, opening the door for him to sign with another franchise. Should Porter opt for a move, he must finalize his decision by March 1 to retain postseason eligibility.
In the 2022 season, Porter played a pivotal role in the Golden State Warriors’ journey to the NBA championship. His versatility allowed him to cover all three frontcourt positions, enabling the Warriors to execute seamless defensive switches and solidifying their status as one of the league’s top defensive units. Offensively, Porter’s shooting prowess and ability to facilitate plays further bolstered the team’s performance.
Porter faced injury setbacks during his tenure with the Toronto Raptors, appearing in only 23 games across two seasons. However, with his reported return to full fitness, he emerges as a potential asset for teams vying for championship contention. Following the trade deadline, the Jazz have committed to allocating significant minutes to rookie forward Taylor Hendricks to assess his capabilities for the upcoming offseason. Consequently, Porter has been granted the freedom to explore his next career moves.
Porter notably suited up for the Jazz last week in a match against the Warriors before the All-Star break. A seasoned veteran with a decade-long NBA career, the Georgetown alum was initially drafted third overall by the Washington Wizards in 2013.
