Bucks waive Kevin Porter Jr. as they finalize their season-opening roster

Porter Jr. led the Bucks in assists per game and ranked second in scoring while appearing in 38 games last season.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks waived guard Kevin Porter Jr. on Monday after a 2025-26 season in which he led the team in assists per game and ranked second in scoring.

The move came ahead of Monday’s NBA roster deadline. The Bucks open their season Wednesday at Washington.

Although injuries limited Porter to 38 games last season, the 6-foot-5 guard productive when available. He averaged 17.4 points, 7.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals.

The Bucks had a surplus of guards as they retool in their first season without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was traded to Miami in the offseason. Waiving Porter should open up more playing time for younger backcourt performers such as rookie Brayden Burries and 20-year-old Kasparas Jakučionis, who will complement returning guard Ryan Rollins and 2025 All-Star Tyler Herro.

Jakučionis and Herro came to Milwaukee in the Antetokounmpo trade. The Bucks selected Burries out of Arizona with the 10th overall pick in this year’s draft.