Former Toronto Raptors forward Otto Porter Jr. has announced his retirement from the NBA, the Utah Jazz announced on Sunday.
Porter Jr. was traded at the deadline from the Raptors to the Jazz. He says his retirement is due to the injuries that have plagued him in recent seasons.
Porter signed withe Raptors after winning an NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2022.
It was seen as a big pick up for Toronto, as Porter was instrumental in helping the Warriors return to the promised land. However, Porter’s long-time injury issues reared their head after he made the deal to come up North.
He played in only eight games during the 2022-23 season and 15 games in 2023-24. In fact, he played more than 41 games in a season only once since 2018.
Porter Jr. released a statement showing his gratitude for his NBA career and all the success he had, but knows that now is the right time to step away, via Gabby Hundman of the Jazz:
“For the past 11 years, I had the chance to live my lifelong dream of playing in the NBA. 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.”
Porter played in 11 NBA seasons. He spent his first six (2013-19) with the Washington Wizards. There, he made the postseason four times and was a full-time starter in three and a half seasons. He finished in the top five of Most Improved Player voting in 2016-17.
Porter Jr. was then dealt from the Wizards to the Chicago Bulls, where he finished out the 2018-19 season, then played two more years before being dealt once again to the Orlando Magic.
He spent half a season there before signing with the Warriors as a free agent. There, he played one of his best seasons en route to the 2022 NBA championship.
He finished out his career in Toronto before being dealt to the Jazz as part of the Kelly Olynyk trade.
Raptors among favorites to sign Ben Simmons if bought out
Another player dealing with a significant injury history is Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Ben Simmons.
He has missed significant chunks of multiple seasons, to the point where a potential buyout is being discussed for this offseason.
If that happens, the Raptors are considered one of the favorites to land his services, along with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors.
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