The Milwaukee Bucks cut guard Kevin Porter Jr. on Monday, clearing a crowded backcourt two days before their season opener in Washington. Porter led last season’s Bucks in assists per game and finished second on the club in scoring despite appearing in only 38 games.
Key takeaways
- Milwaukee waived Kevin Porter Jr. before Monday’s NBA roster deadline.
- The Bucks begin the 2026-27 regular season Wednesday against the Wizards in Washington.
- Porter posted 17.4 points, 7.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game in 2025-26.
- The move creates a clearer lane for rookie Brayden Burries and 20-year-old Kasparas Jakučionis.
- Ryan Rollins and former All-Star Tyler Herro remain central pieces in Milwaukee’s revised guard rotation.
A productive season ends before opening night
Porter, a 6-foot-5 guard, was one of Milwaukee’s most productive players when healthy last season. Injuries kept him out for more than half the schedule, but he still paced the roster with 7.4 assists per night while averaging 17.4 points. His 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals added to a versatile stat line from the backcourt.
Even with that production, Milwaukee’s roster construction left limited room. The Bucks are entering their first season without Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP moved to Miami during the offseason, and the organization has reshaped its perimeter group in the process.
Monday’s transaction arrives at the league’s roster-setting deadline and gives Milwaukee another decision point in how it distributes guard minutes once the regular season starts.
Younger guards move closer to the rotation
Burries, selected 10th overall out of Arizona in this year’s draft, now has a stronger path to early minutes. Jakučionis, who is 20, also figures to benefit after arriving from Miami in the Antetokounmpo deal.
Herro joined Jakučionis in that trade and brings All-Star experience to the group. Rollins returns as another established option. With Porter no longer on the roster, Milwaukee’s opening-night backcourt picture is likely to lean more heavily on that quartet as the Bucks begin a new chapter Wednesday in Washington.
