Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. looks on during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.Credit: David Berding/Getty Images

'He Should Seize a Starting Gig and Run With It' – Milwaukee Bucks Guard Predicted to Take the Next Step This Upcoming Season

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Aug 27, 2025 11:09 AM ET

The Milwaukee Bucks no longer have Damian Lillard as their starting point guard after waiving and stretching his massive contract to make room for signing Myles Turner this offseason.

Kevin Porter Jr. is expected to take the starting role next season, with Cole Anthony as his backup, and Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes expects a huge year for the former 30th overall pick.

“All he has to do is play at the level he established after a trade sent him to the Milwaukee Bucks, and Kevin Porter Jr. will belong in the ‘riser’ category. It’s probably not wise to expect him to match the 19.2 points he put up for the Rockets in 2022-23, but he’s going to top the 10.3 he averaged over the course of last season,” Hughes wrote.

“Milwaukee needs on-ball threats at the guard spot, and Porter may be its best option. If he can avoid the off-court issues that turned him into an early-career journeyman, he should seize a starting gig and run with it,” he added.

Milwaukee Bucks rumored to go after $100 million guard before training camp

Sam Amico of Hoops Wire recently labeled the Milwaukee Bucks as one of the potential suitors for Anfernee Simons, whom the Boston Celtics acquired this offseason via the Jrue Holiday trade with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Nov 1, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trailblazers guard Anfernee Simons (1) shoots the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Murphy-Imagn Images

“Sources said the Bucks could be another team that will make a run at Simons before training camp. Before the trade to Boston, he had spent each of his seven NBA seasons in Portland,” Amico wrote.

“Simons, 26, is 6-foot-3 and averaged 19.3 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.7 rebounds, shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 36.3 percent on 3-pointers in 70 games last season. He also buried 90.2 percent of his free throws,” he concluded.