5 Trades Bucks can make to get younger but stay in title contention
By Tyler Watts
2. Get KPJ from the Rockets
Can Kevin Porter Jr. be an impactful contributor to a winning team? He has not had the chance to prove himself, but the 6’4 guard must accept a sixth-man role. KPJ averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 34.3 minutes per game last season as the Rockets’ starting point guard. He would give the Bucks more offensive firepower, and the 23-year-old should still have room to grow.
Porter Jr. will make $15.8 million this season, and he has three virtually non-guaranteed years left at that same number. The Bucks could take this season by season. KPJ has had attitude issues, but those could go away on a winning team. What is Milwaukee willing to give up for him?
The Rockets signed Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Jeff Green, and Jock Landale this summer to return to the playoffs. Houston could be interested in dumping Porter Jr. for two rotation players with playoff experience. Allen provides needed floor spacing and Connaughton could improve their second unit.
The Milwaukee Bucks need to get younger, and no rotation-ready 23-year-old on a four-year contract will come cheaper. Yes, they may regret the pick swap in 2030, but all is forgotten if Kevin Porter Jr. helps them make a deep playoff run. This is a risky move and only works if head coach Adrian Griffin believes he can get the best out of the 6’4 guard.