On July 4 2017, the Brooklyn Nets offered Otto Porter a four year $106.5 million dollar contract. The Washington Wizards could either match the offer, or let Porter walk. With Washington’s management being adamant about keeping core of the 2016-2017 Wizards together, they offered Porter the deal. Porter’s deal to go along with the supermax contract John Wall signed that same summer resulted in the Wizards having one of the highest payrolls in the league.
Which is fine if the team is in a position to contend. In the summer of 2017, many people believed the Wizards were on the verge of making a legitimate run. I was one of those people. Unfortunately, things didn’t go according to plan for the Washington Wizards and for Otto Porter after the summer of 2017. During the 2017-2018 season, Porter had his best individual season in Washington. Averaging 14.7 points per game on efficient shooting splits. But the team was struggling to recapture the same energy they had from the previous season. Porter became a target of criticism for his perceived lack of aggressiveness on the court. The 2018 Washington Wizards qualified for the playoffs as the 8th seed, but lost to the Toronto Raptors in 6 games.
Things would continue to go downhill for the Wizards during the 2018-2019 season. Porter saw his statistical production decrease as Washington struggled to even be a top 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. On February 6 2019, Porter was traded to the Chicago Bulls. Porter had initial success in Chicago, scoring a career high just a few days after arriving. But injuries would derail him during his tenure in Chicago. Porter was traded to the Orlando Magic in March of 2021, where he would play only three games.
Arrival in Golden State
In August of 2021, Porter signed a $2.4 million dollar veteran minimum deal with the Golden Warriors. Although Porter’s stats do not jump out at you (8.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game), he is an important part of the Warriors rotation. The high basketball IQ that he displayed with the Wizards, he now brings to the Warriors.
During the regular season, Porter’s effective field goal percentage of .560 (according to basketball reference), is the third highest of his career. His two point field goal percentage of .565 (according to basketball reference), is the second highest of his career. All of this to go with 37% shooting from three.
Unfortunately injuries have slowed Porter down a little bit, as he is currently tending to a foot injury. A foot injury that has caused him to miss a few playoff games this year. But on the bright side, Porter is expected to play in the Finals.
Prior to this year’s playoffs, Porter last playoff run was in 2018 with Washington. If Golden State manages to win the title this year and Porter plays a role in that, that is one heck of a comeback for Porter. To go from the disappointment in DC and dealing with injuries, to becoming an NBA champion. As a Wizards fan, I want to see former Wizards do well. That’s why I’m rooting for Golden State in the Finals. So Otto Porter can get a championship ring.
