Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Austin Rivers says Milwaukee Bucks star’s turnaround is remarkable, he thought ‘this guy is done’

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Oct 22, 2025 5:37 PM ET

Austin Rivers was pleasantly surprised by one Milwaukee Bucks star, who has shown a big improvement.

The Milwaukee Bucks had perhaps the strangest and most controversial offseason of any team in the NBA.

In a surprising move, the Bucks waived Damian Lillard after he tore his Achilles tendon in the playoffs, absorbing the remaining years of his contract into their cap for years to come.

In his place, the Bucks signed Myles Turner, poaching him from their rivals, the Indiana Pacers, providing Giannis Antetokounmpo the spacing center he needed.

But the Bucks might be relying on one player who made somewhat of an impression last season, and Austin Rivers is certainly impressed with the way his prospects are looking up.

Photo by Brennan Asplen/Getty Images

Austin Rivers believes Kevin Porter Jr. has All-Star potential with the Bucks

Austin Rivers spoke on his podcast about the Milwaukee Bucks and their chances next season. Discussing the roster his father, Doc Rivers, has available to him, he highlighted Kevin Porter Jr.

He is impressed with the role Kevin Porter Jr. now has, after a stint away from the NBA due to legal trouble, and the level of recognition he is getting on the Bucks.

“You talk about the basketball gods rewarding someone who’s had his trials and tribulations. He was in a low level overseas league, I remember looking at him thinking ‘this guy is done’.

“For him to be back in the NBA, but he’s a starting point guard for a competing Eastern Conference team, where it’s make or break, a lot of their season is depending upon his play.

“It’s remarkable. It shows how life works if you can just stay with it. It’s bigger than just basketball. This is a bigger role than he ever had in Houston.

“He’s a starting point guard and people are high on him… people believe he can be an All-Star talent.”

Milwaukee Bucks must give Giannis Antetokounmpo all the tools necessary to win

Kevin Porter Jr., for all his gifts, isn’t the only talented star in the Bucks’ backcourt rotation. Bobby Portis recently praised Ryan Rollins, citing his potential as a future starter.

But it’s going to take Rollins, Portis, Porter Jr., and every player on the Milwaukee Bucks to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy.

Antetokounmpo has shut down trade rumors for now, opting to focus on the season with the Bucks before reconsidering his future at the end of the campaign.

The superstar is confident, as Giannis called the Bucks ‘scary’ in the East, believing in their ability to challenge the best of the best on any given day.

However, there is no denying that the Bucks’ roster isn’t as good as some of the other strong teams in the Eastern Conference.

This is why the Bucks must be ready to get him the help he needs, even if that means making some risky trades.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: