The Milwaukee Bucks may have picked up a much-needed 111-94 win over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night, but the bigger picture remains cloudy. At 12-18 on the season, the Bucks are still searching for answers-and they’re doing it without their cornerstone, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who continues to recover from a calf strain.
Without Giannis, the Bucks have struggled to find consistency. Multiple losing streaks have piled up, and the pressure is mounting-not just to win games, but to build a roster that convinces their two-time MVP to stay put. Trade rumors surrounding Giannis have been swirling for what feels like years, and while nothing concrete has emerged, the Bucks know the clock is ticking.
That urgency has Milwaukee scanning the league for reinforcements, and one name that’s recently popped up is Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. The connection? Head coach Doc Rivers.
Before taking the reins in Milwaukee, Rivers spent time as a TV analyst, often appearing on basketball podcasts, including those hosted by longtime NBA commentator Bill Simmons. On a recent episode, Simmons floated the idea of Porter Jr. landing in Milwaukee, citing Rivers’ past praise of the forward.
“I was thinking Milwaukee with him because I know Doc likes him,” Simmons said. “When Doc was coming on my podcast, he always thought Porter was underrated for Denver. He liked that he rebounded.”
It’s no secret that Rivers has long admired Porter’s game, especially his work on the glass and his ability to stretch the floor-two traits that would complement Giannis beautifully. Porter, who won a title with the Denver Nuggets and thrived alongside Nikola Jokic, has taken another step forward this season in Brooklyn. He’s averaging a career-best 25.7 points per game and matching his personal high with 7.3 rebounds per contest.
And he’s doing it with efficiency. Porter’s shooting splits-49% from the field, 40% from three, and 81% from the line-make him a dream fit for a Bucks team that needs more offensive firepower and spacing around Giannis. His ability to knock down shots and contribute on defense would instantly raise Milwaukee’s ceiling.
But there’s a catch-and it’s a big one. Porter’s contract is no small matter.
He’s owed $40.8 million in the 2026-27 season, the final year of his current deal. If the Bucks were to acquire him, they’d likely need to send out significant salary to make the numbers work.
Names like Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis are already being floated as potential trade chips, and both are reportedly on the market.
Even if Milwaukee could pull off a trade, they’d be facing a tough decision in a couple of years: re-sign Porter to a likely even larger deal or risk losing him for nothing. It’s a gamble, but one that might be necessary if the Bucks want to show Giannis they’re serious about contending.
There’s also the looming uncertainty around Doc Rivers himself. With the team underperforming and expectations sky-high, his job security is far from guaranteed. If Rivers is no longer calling the shots in Milwaukee, the Porter connection-built largely on Rivers’ personal admiration-could fade quickly.
Still, the Bucks are in a position where standing pat isn’t an option. They need to get better, and fast. Whether that means swinging for a player like Michael Porter Jr. or exploring other avenues, the message is clear: Milwaukee is in win-now mode, and every move from here on out will be viewed through the lens of keeping Giannis happy-and keeping the championship window open.