Milwaukee Bucks X-Factor For The 2025-26 Season - Kevin Porter Jr.

There has been a lot of change to the Milwaukee Bucks' starting lineup heading into the 2025-26 season, and one of those pieces could be an X-factor for a team looking to once again be considered a championship contender. After the shocking decision to waive Damian Lillard to create cap space for Myles Turner, the Bucks have decided to place the ball in the hands of Kevin Porter Jr. as their starting point guard to begin the season. 

Porter’s journey to Milwaukee began last season when he was acquired in a deal with the LA Clippers. After sitting out the entire 2023-24 season following a domestic abuse situation, Porter returned to the league, showing flashes of the playmaking and scoring ability that made him a first-round pick in 2019. Among those moments was a 23-point triple-double against the Dallas Mavericks and a 23-point playoff game effort against the Indiana Pacers. While nobody will mistake him for Lillard, Porter’s blend of scoring, ball distribution, and athleticism could possibly help fill the void left by the All-NBA point guard. 

Fitting alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo provides Porter with both a challenge and an opportunity. Known for his ability to push the pace, Porter must figure out how to balance his own offensive game with getting the ball to the two-time MVP. With a knack for creating off the dribble and knocking down open threes, Porter’s offensive game will be a vital piece in helping to keep opposing defenses honest and prevent them from double-teaming the Bucks' star. 

While not the offensive weapon that Lillard was, Porter brings something to the Bucks that his predecessor couldn’t: defensive versatility. At 6’4” with a 6’9” wingspan, Porter has the size and physical ability to guard multiple positions and disrupt passing lanes. With youthful athleticism that allows him to stay in front of quicker guards and size that allows him to battle through screens more effectively, Porter could earn his keep on the defensive end of the court, especially on a team whose backcourt struggled to do so last season.

The X-factor label comes based on two key components: Porter’s consistency and maturity. Known for his issues on and off the court during his five-year NBA tenure, has the 25-year-old finally grown up? Will he embrace being a complementary player rather than looking to fill his own stat sheet? Can he handle the pressure of playing alongside a player as demanding as Antetokounmpo and a coach like Doc Rivers?

Based on the two-year / $11 million deal that he signed during the offseason, the Bucks believe that Porter has the ability to handle the role presented to him. However, belief and action are two distinct things. If Porter can play within the Bucks’ system, providing steady and reliable production, Milwaukee’s gamble could pay off in multiple ways. If old habits come back into play, the Bucks could find themselves facing a major rebuilding project during the 2026 offseason.