Kevin Porter Jr.'s season is officially over after undergoing surgery in what has been an injury-riddled campaign for the guard. With that, Porter heads into the offseason with no clear direction, only with a player option to his name. Does he take it? Does he seek more? Following this surgery, his best bet is likely picking up that option and looking to bounce back in a bigger way next season.
Porter could earn himself a hefty raise... next year
The 2025-26 NBA season was supposed to be Kevin Porter Jr.'s big break, and when he was on the basketball court, it was. Yet, countless injuries limited the point guard to just 38 games, the second fewest of his entire career. Had he played more, he would inevitably get a raise this summer, but with so many missed games, it's hard to evaluate him from that standpoint.
Porter made $5.1 million this season and would make $5.4 million next year if he picked up his option. Could he get more than that on the open market? Potentially, but it would be a difficult sell, given all of the time he missed this season. While the Bucks would likely offer him a raise, it wouldn't be anything incredibly significant.
His best bet to earn big money would be playing out next season on his current deal and then seeing what he could get in the offseason. If he stays healthy and plays quality basketball, the Bucks would have no reason to avoid paying him. Quietly, if Giannis Antetokounmpo departs soon, Porter would be in an even greater position to earn a raise due to more responsibility.
Porter's surgery complicates things, but he's valuable
During his 38 games, Porter averaged 17.4 points, 7.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game, some of the best numbers of his career. At times, he led the charge on both ends, especially when he was paired with Ryan Rollins. Those two were an elite duo, and no one could blame the Bucks if they wanted to keep them together, whether Giannis is there or not.
Ultimately, what Porter does with his option may boil down to how he responds to surgery. He injured his meniscus early in the season, underwent surgery, and then never quite put the pieces together in the months that followed. Now, he has an opportunity to rest and rehab rather than try to get back. If recovery gets drawn out, perhaps he accepts the option. If he recovers quickly, maybe he declines.
There's no telling which way things will go, but Porter getting another surgery could lead him to accept his option and put a desirable raise on temporary hold.
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