This free agency cycle will be one to watch for Milwaukee Bucks fans. The team has several glaring needs and, with a number of key players hitting the market, only a skeleton of a roster. General manager Jon Horst would do well to retain many of them, but he will be forced to pick and choose based on cost. One Bucks free agent has been ranked among the most valuable at his position by legendary analyst John Hollinger.
Kevin Porter Jr. Gets Surprising Rank from Hollinger
Now with The Athletic, Hollinger has come out with by-position rankings for the pool of free agents available this summer. To make his lists, he uses an evaluation tool he calls BORD$: Big Ol’ Rating Dollars. The price tags this system spits out aren’t to be taken literally as player contract suggestions, but they help to pinpoint actual worth beneath the noise of narrative, reputation and off-court considerations.
Among point guards, Hollinger ranks Bucks free agent Kevin Porter Jr. sixth overall (out of 35 total PGs), third in the Tier II group.
Hollinger categorizes this tier as comprising players valued at “More than MLE but less than max.” In other words, these are guys who, according to BORD$, deserve more money than the $14.1 million midlevel exception but aren’t cut out for max deals in excess of $40 million.
Milwaukee Bucks, Kevin Porter Jr., Bucks free agency
Apr 8, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (3) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) celebrate as the clock winds down in their 110-103 comeback victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
BORD$ gives Porter a value of $18.7 million; again, that isn’t something to take literally, but it does suggest that he is being overlooked – quite possibly due to off-court problems, which Hollinger acknowledges.
Porter did play very well after arriving in Milwaukee at the 2025 trade deadline, providing 11.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals in under 20 minutes per game. He shot 49.4% from the floor and 40.8% on threes while playing tough, versatile defense.
Milwaukee Bucks, Kevin Porter Jr., Bucks free agency
Apr 6, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (3) is hit in the face as he rips the ball from New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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Several factors boost Porter’s value. “There are many, many issues with Porter that don’t involve the basketball court, but BORD$ just sees the basketball court, plus his age (25) and his huge production as a bench catalyst for the Bucks at the end of last season,” Hollinger writes.
This offseason, Porter has a $2.5 million player option; reports indicate he will likely not pick it up and instead test the open market. Certainly he is due a bigger paycheck, but he should not command anything near the midlevel nontaxpayer exception. There is his domestic violence history to consider, as well as his rusty performance with the Clippers before the trade. Porter missed all of 2023-24 due to his legal issues. He still needs to prove that he can produce for a full season.
Kevin Porter Jr., Milwaukee Bucks, Bucks free agency
Feb 25, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (3) dribbles the ball during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The Bucks are no doubt hoping that his market stays suppressed, as they have limited resources to sign or trade for players. For example, they might use much of their MLE to bring back Gary Trent Jr. Re-signing Bobby Portis, if he also declines his option, would further eat into cap space. There are only so many salaries the Bucks can throw around. Although he is a great roster fit, Porter isn’t worth overpaying for. Milwaukee can’t really afford to overpay anyone.
The fact that Hollinger has Porter as high as he does is cause for concern. Clear contenders with money to blow might be willing to outbid the Bucks for a very capable backup and potentially starting-caliber point guard.
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