Milwaukee Bucks point guard Kevin Porter Jr. is reportedly opting out of his $2.5 million player option for next season. The Bucks would love to bring him back, but they may encounter competition from an Eastern Conference rival. After pulling off a blockbuster trade with the Grizzlies, the Orlando Magic need a backup point guard. Porter could fill that role quite well, and at a low cost, too.
Perfect fit for Magic, Porter may have played his last game for Bucks
Porter played well in Milwaukee after arriving at last year's trade deadline, averaging 11.7 points on 49.4/40.8/87.1 percent shooting splits. He also contributed 3.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists, all in 20 minutes per contest.
A solid and scrappy defender, he provided value on both sides of the ball and saw increased playing time down the stretch. In the Bucks' first-round series against Indiana, Porter averaged 30 minutes and ultimately worked his way into the starting lineup.
Backing up Jalen Suggs on the Magic, he could be an ideal replacement for Cole Anthony, part of Orlando's outgoing package to acquire star scorer Desmond Bane from the Grizzlies.
Along with a horde of draft picks, the Magic also sent out 3-and-D guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, further thinning out the backcourt. A tough 6-foot-4, Porter could assume some of KCP's defensive duties as well.
If Porter forgoes his option, he will do so expecting to get more money on the open market. But because of his off-court baggage - Porter pled guilty to domestic violence charges in January 2024 - and accompanying one-year hiatus from the NBA, it's not like he will command a major raise. Due to his past, some teams may avoid him altogether.
Whoever signs him will have to give him a raise, then, but not a drastic one.
Orlando would benefit from Porter's two-way value (so would the Bucks)
Despite his lower projected cost, Porter may well be the more useful player. Anthony is a superior free-throw shooter, but that's about it. His 2024-25 campaign was the worst scoring season of his five-year career (9.4 points per game), and he matched his career-low in assists (2.9). His minutes dipped.
Unlike Porter, he does not have the excuse of missing a season. In Orlando's five playoff games versus Boston, he averaged 2.2 points and fell to the fringes of the rotation.
Both players are around 35 percent 3-point career shooters, and Porter is a bit better from the field. His overall efficiency spiked dramatically in 30 games with the Milwaukee Bucks. Coming off a rusty first half with the Clippers, if that small sample size is in any way indicative of things to come, Porter is just as good an offensive weapon.
On defense, he is a clear upgrade. With his size and physicality, he is also capable of defending wings, which Anthony is not.
For the Magic, it is hard to envision a better fit than Porter. While the Milwaukee Bucks should make an earnest effort to retain him, they might not be able to if Orlando becomes a serious suitor.