Kevin Porter Jr. Reportedly Expected to Decline $2.6M Bucks Contract Option, Enter FA

Kevin Porter Jr. is reportedly expected to decline his $2.55 million player option with the Milwaukee Bucks and become a free agent this offseason.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Bucks are hopeful they can re-sign Porter despite his impending free agency.

Porter, 25, split last season between the Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers after previously playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets.

This season, the Bucks acquired Porter in a February trade with the Clippers in exchange for MarJon Beauchamp.

In 30 games for the Bucks, Porter averaged 11.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 three-pointer made per contest while shooting 49.4 percent from the field and 40.8 percent from beyond the arc.

When taking his 45 games with the Clippers into account, Porter averaged 10.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game during the 2024-25 campaign.

Originally the No. 30 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft out of USC, the early part of KPJ's NBA career was tumultuous.

After appearing in 50 games during his rookie season with the Cavs, he was traded to the Rockets the next season on the heels of a reported outburst after his locker was given to Taurean Prince when Prince joined the team via trade.

Porter seemed to hit his stride in Houston, averaging 17.2 points, 6.0 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 2.4 three-pointers made and 1.2 steals per game over three seasons with the organization.

His play landed him a four-year, $82.5 million contract extension in 2022, however, he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder one year later after being arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.

Porter was waived by the Thunder before appearing in a game for them, and he later reached a plea deal by pleading guilty to misdemeanor assault and a harassment violation in connection to the domestic violence charges.

He spent the 2023-24 season playing for Greek Basketball League team PAOK before signing with the Clippers in July 2024.

After arriving in a trade, Porter was one of the Bucks' top contributors off the bench last season, and he was one of their most efficient players as well.

Center Brook Lopez and guard Gary Trent Jr. are among the key Bucks players set to hit free agency this offseason, plus forward Bobby Portis can become a free agent if he declines his player option.

Star guard Damian Lillard's status for next season is in question after he tore his Achilles during the playoffs, and trade rumors and speculation have surrounded the face of the franchise in two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

There is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding what the Bucks' roster will look like next season, but if they manage to re-sign Porter in free agency, he could see his role increase significantly while Lillard is on the shelf.