Sources: NBA eyes Raptors’ Jontay Porter for betting issues

Toronto Raptors forward Joetay Porter is under investigation by the NBA for multiple betting violations over the past few months, multiple sources told ESPN on Monday.

Multiple sources told ESPN that the problem was prop bets involving Porter in the Jan. 26 and March 20 games. An NBA spokesperson told ESPN that the league is “looking into the matter.”

Betting interest in Porter’s prop increased during the Jan. 26 game against the Los Angeles Clippers, with Porter’s average numbers that night set at around 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists. Porter’s three-point shooting percentage also has a size ratio of 0.5.

Porter played just four minutes that night before leaving the game because the Raptors said he had re-aggravated an eye injury he had suffered four days earlier against the Memphis Grizzlies. He did not score against the Clippers, had 3 rebounds and 1 assist, and did not attempt a three-pointer, which meant a lower shooting percentage from all props.

The next day, as part of its daily betting results report provided to users, DraftKings Sportsbook reported that Porter’s 3-point shot was the biggest winner among all NBA player prop bettors in the night’s game.

Two days later, Porter played 19 minutes and scored 12 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

On March 20, Porter played just three minutes against the Sacramento Kings before leaving the game due to what the Raptors said was an illness and did not return. He did not score, attempted a field goal but missed one, and had two rebounds.

Sportsbooks have his scoring numbers capped at around 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds.

The next day, DraftKings SportsBooks reported to its users that Porter’s prop bet was the night’s No. 1 NBA winner.

Porter, the brother of Denver Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr., signed a two-way contract with the Raptors and will make $415,000 this season.

He missed the Raptors’ game against the Washington Wizards on Saturday due to personal reasons, according to the team. He is listed as missing Monday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets due to personal reasons.

NBA players, as well as all league employees, are prohibited from placing bets on any league event, including prop bets. Violations of this policy may include actions such as fines, suspension and possible termination.

Sports betting is monitored by dedicated personnel at each NBA team, and the league has a team of data scientists focused on sports betting anomalies and possible integrity issues, as well as working with third-party integrity monitors.

Porter made his NBA debut in 2021, playing 11 games for the Grizzlies. In college at Missouri, he tore his ACL during his sophomore season and tore his ACL and MCL again while recovering in early 2019. He went undrafted and did not play in an NBA game the past two seasons, but signed with the NBA’s Raptors in December.

Porter played 26 games this season, averaging 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 14 minutes per game.