Otto Porter Jr. won’t play again in 2022/23, according to the Raptors, who announced today in a press release that the veteran forward has undergone surgery on his left foot and will be sidelined for the rest of the season.
“This was a tough decision for Otto,” Raptors general manager Bobby Webster said in a statement. “He had hoped to avoid surgery, but ultimately a decision had to be made to ensure his long-term health. We look forward to his healthy recovery.”
After winning a championship ring as a key rotation player for the Warriors last season, Porter signed a two-year, $12.3MM contract with the Raptors as a free agent. However, his first year in Toronto has essentially been a write-off.
Porter’s made his Raptors debut on November 2 after recovering from a hamstring strain. Just 12 days later, on November 14, the 29-year-old exited a game early due to a left foot ailment, referred to as a dislocated toe. He hasn’t played since and appeared in just eight games in total, averaging 5.5 PPG and 2.4 RPG in 18.3 MPG.
Porter’s lost 2022/23 season makes it a virtual lock that he’ll exercise his $6.3MM player option for next year.
The Raptors, meanwhile, have until January 15 to apply for a disabled player exception, which would be another tool at their disposal as they consider possible roster moves. A DPE for Porter would be worth $3MM (half of his $6MM salary) and would give Toronto the ability to sign a player to a rest-of-season contract worth up to that amount or to acquire a player (via trade or waiver claim) on an expiring contract. It would not open up an extra roster spot, however.
Man, this is an everything that could go wrong is season for the Raps.
I thought that OPJ was going to be a great piece for them this year, similar to what Iggy was in his earlier days with the Warriors.
I mean, every single Raptors regular is shooting well below their 3PT% norms. I thought they would be 23-17 right now, not the opposite.
Those heavy minutes are catching up to them and derailing their shooting.
Unfortunately, fat chance Nurse changes his ways. He’s too stubborn to face the reality of those heavy minutes.
OPJ has made more money sitting than playing. Managed 1 season so far without major injury…
So is Myers and Warriors justified for not re-signing Porter and GP2 in the offseason?
Should they trade him away?
Huh? Who should be trading whom? I don’t think you understand how trades work.
He learned from Trevor Ariza how to make a ton of money while being barely passable as a player.
He was good before the injuries started. Since then, not so much.
Yes
This guy is lucky he signed with GS. This news is nothing new. More injured than Hayward.