The Milwaukee Bucks will see Kevin Porter Jr. return next season after he picked up his player option. The deal is worth $5.39 million. ## What happened?
Porter Jr. started in 36 of his 38 appearances with the Bucks in the 2025-2026 NBA season. He averaged 17.4 points, 7.4 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game. Porter Jr. shot 46.5% overall from the field, 32.2% from 3-point range, and 87.8% from the free-throw line.
The Bucks are in a transition period after trading Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat. They received Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis, and draft picks in return. ## Why it matters for Milwaukee Bucks
Porter Jr.'s return will be key for the Bucks as they look to rebuild. He is expected to be a starter or a bench spark plug next season. The Bucks' recent form has been poor, with a record of 1W-0D-4L in their last 5 games. Their last result was a 119-118 loss to the Indiana Pacers on 2025-04-29.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-04-29 | Indiana Pacers | 119-118 Loss |
What comes next?
The Bucks may trade Tyler Herro, which could open up playing minutes for Kevin Porter Jr. next season. NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Bucks are listening to offers for Herro. The Detroit Pistons are one team that has expressed interest in trading for Herro. If Herro is traded, it could give rookie Brayden Burries more playing time. The Bucks' projected rotation for next season will be led by point guard Ryan Rollins and Herro, if he stays. Jaime Jaquez Jr. will be in the wing, while Kyle Kuzma and Kel’el Ware will be in the frontcourt. Porter Jr., Burries, and Kasparas Jakucionis are expected to come off the bench. The Bucks will continue to deal with teams in the offseason, which could shake up their roster once more.
