Veteran forward Otto Porter Jr. has announced his retirement from the NBA after 11 seasons.
The 30-year-old made the decision citing injury issues that have hampered his ability to perform at the level he expects of himself.
Porter’s Accomplished Career
Porter was drafted by the Washington Wizards with the 3rd overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft after a standout college career at Georgetown, where he was named Big East Player of the Year.
He spent his first 6 seasons with the Wizards before being traded to the Chicago Bulls in 2019.
Over the next few years, Porter suited up for several teams including the Orlando Magic, Golden State Warriors, and Toronto Raptors.
The highlight of Porter‘s career came when he was a key member of the Warriors’ 2022 Championship team.
Coming off the bench, he provided valuable shooting, defense, and veteran leadership during their title run. Porter shot an impressive 40.4% from 3-point range during the 2022 playoffs.
Throughout his 11-year career, Porter played for 6 different franchises and appeared in 527 regular season games.
He posted career averages of 10.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 39.7% from beyond the arc.
Injuries Force Porter’s Retirement
While Porter enjoyed success at the NBA level, injuries have plagued him over the past few seasons.
After signing a 2-year contract with the Raptors in 2022, he was limited to just 23 total games over the last 2 campaigns.
Most recently, Porter was traded to the Utah Jazz last month but did not suit up for a single game for his new team. Citing the inability of his body to perform at the level he expects, the veteran forward decided it was time to hang up his jersey.
“For the past 11 years, I had the chance to live my lifelong dream of playing in the NBA,” Porter said. “That dream was capped by winning an NBA Championship! Unfortunately, my body is not allowing me to play at the level that I expect of myself, and I have therefore decided to retire.”
What Porter Brought to the Table
At his peak, Otto Porter Jr. was one of the most well-rounded forwards in the league. He made his name as a true “3-and-D” player, meaning he specialized in shooting from the 3-point line and playing tough defense.
Listed at 6’8″ (2.03m) and 198 lbs (90 kg), Porter had good size to match up with either forward position. He was a smart team defender who used his length well.
Porter averaged over a steal per game for his career thanks to good anticipation skills.
Offensively, Porter shot nearly 40% from downtown for his career. He had a quick release and range that extended well beyond the arc. While not the primary scoring option, Porter provided valuable floor spacing for his teams.
Valuable Role Player
Porter carved out an impressive career as a role player who excelled at the little things.
He knocked down open shots, crashed the boards, moved well without the ball, and defended multiple positions. This versatile skill set allowed him to fit in with various teams over the years.
Every championship contender needs high-IQ “glue guys” who make their teammates better.
This is the role that Otto Porter Jr. often filled during his successful 11 years in the league.
Injury Woes
In recent years, Porter just could not stay healthy enough to remain effective. He dealt with a long list of injuries including foot and shoulder issues that required surgery.
By limiting his availability, these physical ailments threw a wrench into his career late in his playing days.
By retiring now at age 30 rather than trying to battle through more injuries, Porter exits the league with his health and quality of life ahead of him. He can look back proudly on claiming an NBA championship and carving out a nice career.
Otto Porter Jr. Career Totals
- Games Played: 527
- Minutes Per Game: 26.0
- Points Per Game: 10.3
- Assists Per Game: 1.5
- Rebounds Per Game: 4.9
- Steals Per Game: 1.1
- 3-Point Percentage: 39.7%
Sources:
zkrainynba.com/nba-news-otto-porter-konczy-kariere/
bleacherreport.com/articles/10112647-otto-porter-jr-announces-retirement-after-11-years-in-nba-won-title-with-warriors
