Kevin Porter Jr. Flourished in Milwaukee, Now Pivotal to Success

Porter Jr. struggled with his shot and his limited playing time with the Clippers, averaging just 9.3 points per game in Los Angeles. Between L.A. and Milwaukee, Porter Jr. averaged 10.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game last year.

For his career, Porter Jr. is a 35.1% 3-point shooter, but was in a shooting funk in 2024-25. He shot nearly 41% from three in Milwaukee compared to just 24.5% with the Clippers. His overall splits were 44.9% from the field and 31.1% from three.

His best year in Houston was his age 22 season in 2022-23. That year Porter Jr. averaged 19.2 points per game, 5.7 assists, 1.4 steals and shot 36.6% from three in over 34 minutes per game. If he can put up those numbers with increased efficiency in Milwaukee, the Bucks will have hit a low-cost home run in free agency.

Porter Jr. Will Have Chance to Run the Show

Now, Porter Jr. has the opportunity to blossom and build off how quickly he came up to speed in Cream City. It will be interesting to see what he can do with starter minutes, like his early days in Houston. Will a bigger sample size bring him back down to earth, or was the change of scenery an awakening for Porter Jr.? That’s the question Milwaukee is going to have him answer.

With the waive and stretch of Damian Lillard, the Bucks are going to depend on Porter Jr. as both a scorer and facilitator. The 6-foot-4 guard showed he was up to the task in his brief stretch to end last year.

Porter Jr. scored 16 or more points in each of the final five regular season games, including a 24-point, 12-rebound, eight-assist game vs. Miami. In the final month, Porter Jr. averaged 16.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

Porter Jr. is likely the Bucks’ starting point guard next year. The ball will be in Giannis’ hands a great deal as well, but Porter Jr. showed he can be a spot-up shooter, too, as he revived his shooting stroke with the Bucks.

KPJ’s New Skillset

Porter Jr. showed good chemistry, particularly via lobs, with Giannis and Jericho Sims. He showed he’s a very capable shooter when there’s so much defensive focus on Giannis. Having the diversity to be both handling the ball and posted as a catch-and-shoot option next to Giannis makes KPJ quite valuable.

He will have a chance to show he can run a team and could really make himself a great deal of money with a good 2025-26 season. The Bucks don’t have many other guards with Porter Jr.’s skillset.

Can KPJ blossom with full year in Milwaukee?

The Bucks need Kevin Porter Jr. to hit. Milwaukee had another wild offseason, making the heavy choice to waive Lillard and sign Myles Turner. Turner is a very good three-point shooter for a big. Snipers A.J. Green and Gary Trent Jr. should pair well with Giannis and the slashing KPJ. Porter Jr. isn’t thought of as a good passer, but he averaged six assists per game with the Bucks. He’ll have plenty of willing shooters to dish out to.

KPJ is likely to get the keys to the car when Giannis isn’t playing point forward. Having found his footing and comfort in Milwaukee, Porter Jr. could be poised for a big season. If Porter Jr. can be as reliable as he was down the stretch for Milwaukee last year, the Bucks could surprise some people.