Otto Porter Jr. won’t play again in 2022-2023, 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, $12.3M 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 Nov. 2 after recovering from a hamstring strain. Just 12 days later, on Nov. 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 2022-2023 season makes it a virtual lock that he’ll exercise his $6.3M 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 $3M (half of his $6M 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.
