Former top pick left in tough position after being waived by Jazz

Porter Jr. won a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2022. He has been dealing with injuries since moving to the Toronto Raptors the following season. He was traded to the Jazz as part of the deal that sent Kelly Olynyk to the Raptors at the Feb. 8 trade deadline.

Now, Porter Jr. will likely struggle to latch on to a new team. At his best, he is one of the most reliable three-and-d wings in the NBA. He's shooting 39.7 percent from the perimeter for his career. He is versatile on the perimeter and can switch between multiple positions on defense. 

Porter Jr. has never been a star, though. As such, he is unlikely to get much grace from teams around the league. Unless he can unequivocally prove his injury issues are behind him in the summer, he may be looking at an uphill battle to sign another NBA contract. He would have been better served joining a contender ahead of the playoffs and fighting for a role within the rotation. If healthy, there is always room for a three-and-d wing with championship experience. 

Utah's decision to wait until March 11 will certainly raise some questions and it has left Porter Jr. in a difficult situation. If the Jazz knew they were ultimately going to move on from the veteran forward, they should have waived him after acquiring him at the trade deadline. 

Their indecision has put a former champion's career in jeopardy and, at the very least, cost him a chance at participating in this year's postseason.