Craig Porter Jr - Signing a 4-Year Deal

[CleveRocks]

Porter is a lot more skilled than Lamah was. I think he has lapses at times and makes rookie level mistakes, but the skills are there.. he has a good handle in traffic, finishes well in a crowd, and has a pretty high bbiq for how to attack. He is active on defense, rebounds, steals, blocks. And he can create for others.. I think this last is where he needs more work, as sometimes he will take a shot in a too crowded lane rather than kick it out to open.. And I think he is still learning how to force defenders into positions that open up other players.. He also needs to work on range and quick release.. So I am good with getting him G-League burn. Then bring him back up for the finale..

As for the contract, it was better than any of us predicted when he went undrafted. I don't recall him popping in The analytics models either...99% of those guys are out of the league in two years.. If it were me in his shoes, yeah I would sign that contract.

 

[MikeOC33]

Speaking of Lamar...only 3 games with Memphis, but he's gotten good run all 3 games (+ 20 minutes), with season highs in minutes, shot attempts, points, rbs, and shooting 50% from floor. Good for him. Make the most of your new situation!

 

[2 For The Brew]

Darius Garland took a couple of years to learn how to be an NBA PG. This is common. Magic came in and won a title his rookie year (playing the 5 to start the Finals winner) but that’s rare. CPJ isn’t that type of talent.

There’s no way any NBA coach expected to win at least one playoff series is going to trust a rookie PG as backup and part of an 8-9 man rotation, even if he’s one of the top 8-9 players on the team (and for playoff purposes he’s not top 10).

He’s a good prospect for the future and I’m glad we have him locked up for four years. Barring injury he’s got too many players ahead of him to get significant minutes.

 

[J_J]

My question is...how are you sure Craig will be more than a Lamar Stevens guy for us? He very well may be much much better, and will be rewarded on his next contract appropriately. But he hasn't really proven much at the NBA level, and has NOT earned the kind of bigger contract you're describing yet.

CPJ’s 3pt shooting will be much more improved next season

 

[MirORich]

So Craig has played five times as many NBA minutes as Jalen Picket and scored seven times as many points, but his contract guarantees him just $2.5 million while Picket's guarantees him $5.8 million, more than twice as much.

The fourth year of CP's contract is a non-guaranteed club option that even if the Cavs pick it up would pay Craig less than Ty Jerome currently makes on a guaranteed contract today ($2.4 million vs $2.5 million), even though I think it's pretty clear that Craig is already better than Ty Jerome and in fact we are probably (hopefully!) going to dump Ty so Craig can be our third string guard.

That's what I mean by saying that this contract drives a hard bargain and exploits the club's bargaining advantage over an undrafted player. It's perfectly within our rights to do that, but as I said if I were Craig's agent I would have counseled him to ask for a better contract before signing. The Cavs aren't the only team who can see how good Craig is. With that said, I totally understand why an undrafted guy would sign it and if we are able to give Porter expanded PT and a clear role that he performs well in it's possible we will tear it up and renegotiate something that better aligns with his performance. But another reason I wasn't thrilled with the details of the contract is that it signals that the club isn't yet sure he will be more than a Lamar Stevens type guy for us.

Jalen Pickett was the #32 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft who signed his contract in July, shortly after being drafted, not an UDFA.

Apples to oranges comparison in contract leverage regardless of comparing their roles to date in their rookie seasons.

To make the point you are trying to make, it would be best to find another UDFA who signed a two way deal and then at some point during their first season signed an actual NBA contract.

 

[Cavatt]

I think I agree 4 years is too long. Barring serious injury I find it hard to believe he won't outplay it even next year. This one is more than half done though

I think CPJ could be actually really good and not just back up level good It's the pace and headiness he plays with. He's also closer to Donovan than Darius in terms of his athletic ability.

 

[CleveRocks]

I think I agree 4 years is too long. Barring serious injury I find it hard to believe he won't outplay it even next year. This one is more than half done though

I think CPJ could be actually really good and not just back up level good It's the pace and headiness he plays with. He's also closer to Donovan than Darius in terms of his athletic ability.

I respect your opinion, but I don't see CPJ as talented as those 2.. I think he makes more of what he has though. I think he is a lunch bucket player. Skilled, high BBIQ, nose for the ball and so on.. but I don't see lightning.. I love the contract, and I think he has a long run in the league..

 

[Jscc]

If I'm re-drafting the 2023 draft, he is the second point guard coming off the board for me right after Scoot Henderson. With the way Henderson has played, I could be talked into taking CPJ as the first PG.

We got him locked into a nice contract. I'm not sure I would've signed that contract to be honest.

 

[Dr No]

Jalen Pickett was the #32 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft who signed his contract in July, shortly after being drafted, not an UDFA.

Apples to oranges comparison in contract leverage regardless of comparing their roles to date in their rookie seasons.

To make the point you are trying to make, it would be best to find another UDFA who signed a two way deal and then at some point during their first season signed an actual NBA contract.

the only 2-ways that got big contracts early that I can think of are Lu Dort and Austin Reaves.

 

[MirORich]

the only 2-ways that got big contracts early that I can think of are Lu Dort and Austin Reaves.

And both were after two complete seasons in the league,not halfway through season one

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

So Craig has played five times as many NBA minutes as Jalen Picket and scored seven times as many points, but his contract guarantees him just $2.5 million while Picket's guarantees him $5.8 million, more than twice as much.

Just because Picket is overpaid relative to his performance doesn't mean we should overpay CPJ.

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

So Craig has played five times as many NBA minutes as Jalen Picket and scored seven times as many points, but his contract guarantees him just $2.5 million while Picket's guarantees him $5.8 million, more than twice as much.

The fourth year of CP's contract is a non-guaranteed club option that even if the Cavs pick it up would pay Craig less than Ty Jerome currently makes on a guaranteed contract today ($2.4 million vs $2.5 million), even though I think it's pretty clear that Craig is already better than Ty Jerome and in fact we are probably (hopefully!) going to dump Ty so Craig can be our third string guard.

That's what I mean by saying that this contract drives a hard bargain and exploits the club's bargaining advantage over an undrafted player. It's perfectly within our rights to do that, but as I said if I were Craig's agent I would have counseled him to ask for a better contract before signing. The Cavs aren't the only team who can see how good Craig is. With that said, I totally understand why an undrafted guy would sign it and if we are able to give Porter expanded PT and a clear role that he performs well in it's possible we will tear it up and renegotiate something that better aligns with his performance. But another reason I wasn't thrilled with the details of the contract is that it signals that the club isn't yet sure he will be more than a Lamar Stevens type guy for us.

I feel like you’re totally missing why this is good for both sides. Craig gets to be in an organization that clearly values him, has shown some ability to develop players using the G-League, and are actively comp

If he goes elsewhere to a worse team, his role won’t be as defined, he might get pushed into a situation he’s not ready for, and as a result completely wash out of the league. The situation in Cleveland is great for him because the Cavs aren’t desperate for him to play and the team is built in a way that allows him to do the things he’s really good at. It’s next to impossible for a UDFA to find that kind of situation on a playoff team.

While I’m sure other teams would’ve been interested in Craig, there’s no guarantee they give him as much money as the Cavs did. I think a lot of teams might be slightly hesitant since he’s an older rookie playing on a team with veteran players in a stable organization.

 

[The Oi]

Porter is a lot more skilled than Lamah was. I think he has lapses at times and makes rookie level mistakes, but the skills are there.. he has a good handle in traffic, finishes well in a crowd, and has a pretty high bbiq for how to attack. He is active on defense, rebounds, steals, blocks. And he can create for others.. I think this last is where he needs more work, as sometimes he will take a shot in a too crowded lane rather than kick it out to open.. And I think he is still learning how to force defenders into positions that open up other players.. He also needs to work on range and quick release.. So I am good with getting him G-League burn. Then bring him back up for the finale..

As for the contract, it was better than any of us predicted when he went undrafted. I don't recall him popping in The analytics models either...99% of those guys are out of the league in two years.. If it were me in his shoes, yeah I would sign that contract.

Lamahhhhhh

 

[jjvors]

In honor of Craig signing with the Cavs, here's a famous highlight:

CPJ got his deal! NBA Basketball Cleveland Cavaliers Cavs #nba #basketball #cavs

www.youtube.com

 

[Nphan]

Future big 3

Mitchell, Mobley and Porter.