Camp Ticks Toward Tip-Off as Porter's Return Date Nears

By the Bucks Nightly Desk · Wednesday, September 30

Milwaukee is still building toward its first game under Taylor Jenkins, with no transactions or injury updates in the last day and a half. The bigger story remains the league's inquiry into the Trent Jr. contract and Kevin Porter Jr.'s timeline back from a knee injury in his right leg.

Bucks Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Last season

Milwaukee finished 32-50, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016-17. The offense ranked 24th in the league at 112.2 points per 100 possessions, the defense 26th at 118.3, and the net rating settled at -6.1 over a 98.3-possession pace. Doc Rivers resigned when it ended.

This summer

On June 23, Antetokounmpo left for Miami, joined by Portis, in a trade that brought back Herro, Ware, Jaquez Jr. and Jakucionis. Taylor Jenkins, hired April 30 after four seasons in Memphis, inherited that reshaped roster along with holdovers Turner, Kuzma, Rollins and Porter Jr.

This month

Milwaukee signed center Jake Stephens on Sept. 17, then saw guard Malique Lewis exit the roster four days later, trimming the group to 21. On Sept. 23, a report from Joe Vardon said the league is examining Milwaukee's contract with Trent Jr., with no further detail disclosed since.

This week

Camp opened this week with a 21-man roster averaging 25.1 years old. Kevin Porter Jr. is working back from a knee injury in his right leg, with an expected return around Oct. 1, right as the preseason schedule begins.

Next The preseason opens Oct. 5 at home against the Timberwolves, with Porter Jr.'s Oct. 1 target date arriving first; the regular season begins Oct. 21 at Washington.

Is Kevin Porter Jr. injured?

Yes, he is working back from a knee injury in his right leg with an expected return around Oct. 1.

Is Trent Jr.'s contract under investigation?

A Sept. 23 report from Joe Vardon said the league is examining the deal, though no findings have been disclosed.