Bucks' Kevin Porter Jr. expected to decline contract option

Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. is expected to decline his $2,546,675 option in order to become a free agent, Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype tweets.

It certainly doesn’t come as a surprise, considering the contributions Porter made after being dealt from the Clippers to the Bucks. In 30 regular season appearances, Porter averaged 11.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 19.9 minutes with Milwaukee. He averaged 11.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists in five postseason games.

Milwaukee hopes to retain Porter, according to Scotto. That makes plenty of sense given Damian Lillard‘s Achilles tear, which will likely keep Lillard out of action all of next season. Porter projects as the Bucks’ starting point guard, unless they acquire one via a trade or free agency. The Bucks do not have a first-round selection in this month’s draft.

Porter was dealt to the Bucks in February after appearing in 45 games with the Clippers.

He is a former first-round pick who played in Greece last season after multiple off-court incidents, including reaching a plea agreement for misdemeanor assault and harassment in January 2024 after allegedly attacking his girlfriend in September 2023. The Clippers gave him another NBA opportunity in July when they signed him to a two-year, minimum-salary contract.