Craig Porter Jr. showed up to this season looking different, and Cleveland noticed it right away.
After an offseason built around getting stronger, improving his conditioning and sharpening his endurance, Porter arrived at training camp bigger, healthier and ready to handle whatever the Cavaliers asked of him. That was the message from Kenny Atkinson, who challenged him to add physicality to his game, and Porter clearly took it seriously.
The early returns were encouraging. With the Cavs short-handed to start the year, including without Darius Garland, Porter stepped into a larger role and made it count.
Through his first 17 games, he was hitting 53.3% of his shots and 44.8% from 3-point range. Even with Lonzo Ball also in the mix and not yet cleared for back-to-backs, Porter kept producing with efficiency and composure.
Atkinson has never treated Porter like a simple backup guard. He has used him in positionless, multi-guard lineups because Porter brings more than just ball-handling.
He rebounds like a bigger player, piles up hustle plays and can score when he’s aggressive. That blend made him useful whenever Cleveland needed energy and production.
Porter’s third season had the look of a steady, productive one. His shooting from deep wasn’t as sharp as the early numbers suggested, but the playmaking stayed strong and the rebounding remained a constant. Then the roster changed fast.
After the Cavaliers traded for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, then James Harden, Porter was pushed out of the rotation. By the time the postseason arrived, his minutes were limited to mop-up duty while other players moved ahead of him.
For the season, Porter finished with 4.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 45.0% from the field, 35.5% from 3 and 60.0% at the line.
A week ago, Cleveland officially picked up Porter's fourth-year, $2.4 million team option, giving him at least one more chance to prove he deserves a bigger role. That option is non-guaranteed until Jan. 10, 2027, which leaves the Cavaliers with flexibility if they decide to go in another direction.
In Other News...
Cavaliers May Finally Have A Cheap Answer To Their Biggest Depth Problem
The Cavaliers have spent enough time patching the backup center spot to know it is more than a one-night issue. Behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, the frontcourt has lacked a steady third option, and any path to fixing that gets more interesting if Cleveland gains a little more financial breathing room this offseason.
One name worth watching is Precious Achiuwa, a younger veteran who has moved around the league over six seasons but brings the kind of versatility this roster could use. He has shown real value as a rebounder and defender, and for a team trying to survive the non-Allen minutes without losing its identity, that combination could make him a practical fit if the money lines up. [Read more 🡒]
This Could Be The Backup Big Cavs Fans Have Wanted All Summer
Frontcourt depth has been one of the quieter summer needs hanging over Cleveland, even with the roster built around its star core and plenty of reason to believe the group can contend right away. The Cavaliers are currently above the NBAs first apron, so any real pursuit of help still comes back to the same question: how do they create enough flexibility to add another big without upsetting the rest of the plan?
One path is to keep an eye on veteran centers who could be brought in at a manageable price if the front office finds the right opening. The fit is obvious on paper for a team that wants more size behind its top bigs and another player who can tilt the glass and protect the rim, but the remaining hurdle is whether Cleveland can get to a place where that kind of move is even possible. For now, it is more possibility than promise, which is exactly why it has become one of the summers more intriguing roster threads. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Appear On Verge Of A Massive Move Fans Have Awaited
Free agency is already starting to take shape around the league, and for Cleveland the focus has turned to a move that would reshape the top of its roster before the market even opens. Around the Cavaliers, there is a sense that the front office is lining up a major addition with the clock winding down toward Tuesday, a sign that this summer may move faster than most around the NBA expected.
What makes the moment so interesting is how much else is happening in the background. Golden State is juggling its own roster plans, Minnesota is looking at options to cover for Julius Randles departure, and Cleveland is trying to stay ahead of the chaos rather than react to it. For a team that has been looking for a significant swing, the timing of this one matters almost as much as the move itself. [Read more 🡒]