The LA Clippers’ memories, from beginning to end, of Kevin Porter Jr. are stuffed with his heavily demanding playstyle. Lawrence Frank, indirectly, said, “Here you go” to the Milwaukee Bucks, then traded him to them. With the one-year anniversary approaching, the Bucks have only learned the very reason his first postseason experience was not until 2025.
When did the reasoning become noticeable? Over the last eight games. Porter Jr. has been horrible in the new year, averaging 13.0 points and 7.4 assists, shooting 38.1% from the field and 23.1% from a distance.
Well, is there at least a sign that his next game indicates a turnaround? No, the signal fans of the Bucks are searching for is on another planet, as Porter Jr. had his first scoreless game of the season with zero points and two assists in 23 minutes versus the San Antonio Spurs, then was benched thereafter.
Thus, Porter Jr. commands more than he can offer, and if he is a primary facilitator for the Bucks, Doc Rivers will soon realize his squad will not go very far, if they even make the playoffs.
Kevin Porter Jr. is not even fit to have a large role on a play-in contending team
The Milwaukee Bucks are 4-4 in the new year, outside the play-in tournament, and are scraping the bottom of the barrel for every solution to convince their superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, not to leave. Yet, have they realized that a step in the right direction would be to trade Kevin Porter Jr.?
The former USC Trojan offers solid passing and inside scoring, but he is inconsistent, unreliable, and an incompetent defender. This is who the Bucks have playing minutes just shy of 34 per game, a measure that is outrageous when considering who is on the receiving end.
Moreover, Doc Rivers must also be held accountable. Why, over the last eight games, does Porter Jr. lead the Bucks in minutes? He is at 274, ahead of Antetokounmpo, Ryan Rollins, and AJ Green.
Porter Jr. has proven not to be equipped with the skillset to have a large role on any team, let alone the Bucks, who need wins in large numbers.
That said, Porter Jr.'s 16.8-point, 7.4-assist averages make it seem like the Clippers went wrong at the 2025 deadline, yet the truth is Lawrence Frank was aware of what the veteran point guard lacked to help a team win in the NBA.