Bucks' Kevin Porter Jr. Named Pacers' Ambitious Offseason Trade Target

Milwaukee Buck guard Kevin Porter Jr. has been named the Indiana Pacers' ambitious offseason trade target by Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report.    

The Bucks are expected to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, so they could make other veterans available since they will be in rebuild mode. 

"KPJ would address the scoring void left on the wing by Bennedict Mathurin's departure while also ensuring TJ McConnell isn't the only shot-creator coming off the bench," Hughes wrote. "Porter Jr. could ruin all this by declining his $5.4 million option to hit free agency, but there's no denying the fit of his 17.4 points and 7.4 assists per game with the Pacers."

Indiana missed the playoffs this season after making the NBA Finals last season. The Pacers will be a contender again next season with Tyrese Haliburton back in the fold next to Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac. 

Porter Jr. is a talented playmaker who would make the Pacers' offense more explosive. The lefty averaged 17.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game while shooting 46.5% from the field, 32.2% from beyond the arc and 87.8% from the free-throw line. 

To trade for Porter Jr., the Pacers have to wait and see if KPJ picks up his player option for next season. If Porter Jr. declines his player option, he'll enter free agency this offseason and then the Pacers could just sign him outright. 

As it stands now, the Pacers are narrowly below the luxury tax line of $201 million in 2026-27 salary, which means they have access to the $15.1 midlevel exception this summer. 

After losing its first-round pick in this year's draft because of the Zubac trade, it will be fascinating to see what moves Indiana makes this offseason. Haliburton, Siakam and Zubac look like a strong "Big 3" on paper, but to win a title, depth is important.  

Porter Jr. has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers and Bucks. He holds career averages of 14.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. 

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