Bucks recently acquired guard makes $2.5 million contract decision

The Milwaukee Bucks have some more news as a busy offseason awaits.

On Saturday, Eric Nehm and Fred Katz of The Athletic reported that Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. will let his player option expire and become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Porter joined the Bucks in a midseason trade after he began the 2024-25 campaign with the LA Clippers. 

In that deal, the Bucks sent MarJon Beauchamp to the Clippers in hopes of getting a more versatile option in the backcourt. However, Porter’s defense and inefficient offense made his time in Milwaukee rather forgettable.

In declining this $2.5 million player option, it seems that Porter is likely in the market for simply a change of scenery, as his play likely didn’t earn him a bigger contract. Last season across his two teams, Porter averaged 10.3 points, 3.4 assists and 1.8 turnovers while shooting only 31.1% from beyond the arc.

Porter is best known in his career for his off-court actions. In September 2023, Porter was arrested and charged in New York City for assault and strangulation after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend. 

Following his arrest, Porter was traded by the Houston Rockets, the team he had been with for the past three seasons. Porter ended up in Oklahoma City, with the Thunder waiving him shortly thereafter.

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He spent the entire 2023-24 season away from the NBA, playing a short stint for a Greek club toward the end of that season. After being back in the league for a year, it appears he will take a chance and test his value in free agency.