25-Year-Old Guard Agrees on New Contract with the Bucks
After declining his player option, Kevin Porter Jr. has agreed to a new two-year, $11 million deal with the Bucks. After a solid bounce-back season with the Milwaukee Bucks, Porter has reminded teams around the league that he remains a valuable asset. He proved to be an effective complementary scorer, especially during a period when the Bucks were hit hard by injuries. With increased opportunities down the stretch, Porter made the most of his minutes and closed the season on a high note.
In his final five regular-season games, Kevin Porter Jr. averaged 20 points, six rebounds, six assists, and nearly three steals per game. His all-around performance highlighted his versatility and the two-way potential that once made him a rising star. Long known for his scoring ability, Porter rediscovered his rhythm and provided a spark for the Bucks’ rotation. Though losing in the first-round to the Pacers, the late-season surge served as a strong audition for teams in need of a dynamic guard.
Porter was once seen as a rising offensive talent during his time with the Houston Rockets. Prior to that, he showed early promise as a rookie, averaging 10 points per game with the Cleveland Cavaliers. His momentum was halted after legal troubles and a domestic violence charge led to him missing the entire 2023–2024 NBA season. Though he was initially traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, he was waived before ever suiting up for the team.
Interestingly, Kevin Porter Jr. was originally selected with the 30th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. On draft night, he was traded twice—first to the Detroit Pistons, then to the Cleveland Cavaliers. After a brief stint in Cleveland, he was dealt to the Houston Rockets, where he had two steady seasons before breaking out in 2022–2023. That year, he averaged 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists across 59 games, solidifying himself as a key piece of Houston’s young core at the time. Following his year-long absence, Porter began the 2024–2025 season with the L.A. Clippers before being traded mid-season to the Milwaukee Bucks. In a limited role, he still managed to average 10 points, three rebounds, and three assists per game. Though his minutes were inconsistent, he showed flashes of his old form and continued developing as a playmaker and defender. With more structure and a defined role, Porter could prove to be one of the offseason’s most underrated signings.
Heading into the 2025–2026 NBA season, Kevin Porter Jr. is focused on reclaiming the form he showed in Houston—or surpassing it altogether. His new team will be getting a motivated, talented, and hopefully more mature version of the player he once was. Still just 25 years old, Porter has time to grow both on and off the court. The next chapter of his career will continue in Milwaukee as he continues to rewrite his story and establish himself as a long-term contributor in the league.
