Kevin Porter Jr. was among the key roster cuts this season, but the former Milwaukee Bucks guard could find a new NBA home soon. According to The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer, the Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets called about acquiring the 26-year-old guard before he was waived.
Porter is coming off a productive 2025-26 campaign, leading the Milwaukee Bucks in assists per game and ranked second in scoring, averaging 17.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 2.2 steals on 46.5 percent shooting from the field across 38 regular-season appearances.
Why the Milwaukee Bucks waived Kevin Porter Jr.
Kevin Porter Jr. underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last April and struggled to impress in preseason. He last played for the Milwaukee Bucks in their 128-127 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers, where he notched 11 points, three assists, and two steals in nearly 16 minutes.
The team had a surplus of guards as they retool in their first season without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee cut Porter to open up more playing time for younger backcourt players, including Kasparas Jakucionis and rookie Brayden Burries, to complement Tyler Herro and Ryan Rollins.
Joining the Sacramento Kings is a more realistic option for Kevin Porter Jr.
Sacramento’s interest in Kevin Porter Jr. isn’t new, as they viewed the former Bucks floor general as a potential trade option. With Ben Simmons out indefinitely due to a torn Achilles, Porter could fill the veteran backup point guard role behind rookie Darius Acuff Jr.
The Nuggets would’ve also been a great fit for Porter, but adding the former first-round pick would’ve increased Denver’s tax bill, which is far from ideal, given their complicated cap situation. Overall, Porter will hold some appeal as a minimum-salary target for a handful of playoff teams as an unrestricted free agent.