The Milwaukee Bucks trading for Kevin Porter Jr. in exchange for MarJon Beauchamp was a low-risk move by definition. Now, the recently re-signed guard could end up being one of the most important players on the entire roster next season. Porter turning back the clock to match his best days with the Houston Rockets could be the needle-tipping development the Milwaukee Bucks need.
Bucks need Houston Kevin Porter Jr. to show up next season
There's no Khris Middleton, no Jrue Holiday, and no Damian Lillard. That means there's not a clear-cut second option behind Giannis Antetokounmpo on the offensive end. While there are a few candidates worth consideration, such as Myles Turner or maybe even Bobby Portis, Porter should be the betting favorite to take the mantle, as he's shown how much of an impact he can have.
During his three-year stay in Houston, where he saw the most prominent role of his career, Porter put up impressive numbers with 17.2 points, six assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per contest. He had the ball in his hands often, and he made the most of it. Milwaukee Bucks fans will remember the guard dropping 50 points against them during that timeframe.
After missing all of last season, Porter's numbers were down this season - 10.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. This was largely because he only started in four of his 75 games spent with the Bucks and LA Clippers in the regular season, logging 19.8 minutes per game. Now, he is likely on the cusp of getting back into the mix as a much more prominent piece of the puzzle.
With Damian Lillard out of the picture, the Milwaukee Bucks need a new starting point guard. Even if they have several options, Porter seems like the likeliest candidate. He's proven that he can make an impact as a full-time starter previously, and there were flashes of potential on display whenever he was in the main lineup for the Milwaukee Bucks, even if it was brief.
Now, the Milwaukee Bucks will likely try to reawaken that player once more. If Porter succeeds by bringing tough shot-making and sweet passing, it would take pressure off Giannis Antetokounmpo. While he will likely have the ball in his hands more than ever before, he still needs a reliable second option who can shoulder some responsibility when needed. KPJ can be that player on a large scale.
Having just turned 25, Porter is still young. There's a chance after regaining his footing following his one-year absence from the NBA that he can get back to the production he was at before. Him doing so could be the difference in Milwaukee's title hopes.
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