The Milwaukee Bucks have a Kevin Porter Jr. problem on their hands. After a productive but injury-marred year, he will hit the offseason with a $5.4 million 2026-27 player option left on his contract. If he declines it, which seems likely, the Bucks must decide whether to bring him back.
It's also more complicated than that. The Bucks have the 10th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Whereas earlier this season many expected Milwaukee to target a wing, the way the board has shaken out, most of the Bucks' appealing options are guards.Â
Porter's future is already uncertain due to financial considerations and his long-term fit alongside Ryan Rollins. Drafting another guard would only complicate circumstances further.Â
Bucks' draft strategy could impact Porter's futureÂ
Porter popped in and out of the lineup for weeks at a time, finally undergoing season-ending knee surgery in April. Nonetheless, he was arguably the roster's most productive player with Giannis Antetokounmpo off the floor. In 38 games, Porter averaged 17.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 2.2 steals. His shooting efficiency dropped after a scorching start, but he reined in the turnovers as the year went on.Â
Even with all the injuries, he can probably get more than $5.4 million this offseason by opting out and testing the open market.Â
That presents a dilemma for the Bucks: do they pay Porter what it would take to retain him, possibly in the range of a $15 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception? Or, do they let him walk, guaranteeing more touches for Rollins and a young prospect?
Any number of young guards could join the Bucks in June: Brayden Burries, Labaron Philon, Mikel Brown, Cameron Carr. Forwards are still available - Nate Ament, Yaxel Lendeborg, Karim Lopez - but options are limited.Â
Lendeborg has a high floor but not necessarily a star ceiling. Lopez is similarly capped. Ament is raw and, at the same time, lacks athletic explosiveness. In this year's draft class, there are simply more prospects to choose from in the backcourt.Â
Porter outperforming his contract has muddied waters for Bucks
Even so, the Bucks could still use Porter - that's the dilemma. They still need shot creators. His role and outlook could change, though. Depending on a rookie guard's development, Porter could find himself on the bench by year's end. He outshot bench-level production last season, and should seek a corresponding raise on his next contract.
Would Porter want to return to a Bucks roster where he would clearly be the odd man out? At a higher price tag, how valuable would he be to the Bucks? In a multi-year timeline, Porter would fit most logically as a bench piece, or else as a stopgap to be discarded later. Signing elsewhere could assure him of a larger role next season, if not beyond.Â
Then again, Milwaukee fans saw firsthand the disaster of not having a backup ballhandler last season. No one wants a repeat of the Cole Anthony or Cam Thomas experiments. One thing about Porter, he is a two-way engine. He and Rollins formed an exciting duo for stretches of the season.
If the Bucks move in a different direction, prioritizing the draft and cheap young talent, Porter's place in the organizational vision would be murky. The nearing NBA draft does nothing to clear the waters.Â
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