Porter's Return Target Arrives as Nance Fights to Stick on…

By the Bucks Nightly Desk · Thursday, October 1

Kevin Porter Jr.'s listed return estimate falls on October 1, though Milwaukee has not confirmed he is ready to play. Camp otherwise turns on roster competition and an unresolved investigation into the Gary Trent Jr. trade.

Bucks Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Last season

Milwaukee went 32-50 last season, missing the playoffs with Antetokounmpo sidelined for long stretches. Scoring efficiency and defense both ranked among the NBA's weakest, and Doc Rivers stepped down from the bench once the year wrapped; he has since joined NBC as an analyst and says he is done coaching.

This summer

On June 23, Milwaukee sent Bobby Portis and Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami, landing Kel'el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, Tyler Herro and guard Jaquez in return. The draft brought Brayden Burries and Nate Ament with the tenth and thirteenth picks. Taylor Jenkins, hired April 30 after coaching the Memphis Grizzlies, now runs the bench; he served on Milwaukee's staff under Budenholzer in 2018-19.

This month

Jake Stephens signed September 17, and Malique Lewis left the roster September 21, trimming the group to twenty-one. Joe Vardon reported September 23 that the NBA is investigating the Bucks' trade for Gary Trent Jr., with no detail yet on scope or findings. A Central Notes roundup the next day paired Milwaukee with Duren, the Bulls, Jenkins and Cleveland, again without substance beyond the headline.

This week

Sixteen players entered camp on guaranteed contracts for fifteen regular-season spots, Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported September 29, the day Jenkins ran his first practice as head coach. Owner Wes Edens told reporters he has no current plan to sell his stake in the franchise.

Today

Kevin Porter Jr.'s own estimated return from his knee injury lands today, October 1, though Milwaukee has not yet cleared him to play. Pete Nance is back in camp still needing to prove he belongs on the roster, Owczarski reported, while Behind the Buck Pass's Dalton Sell wrote that Myles Turner has taken on a leadership role he never sought. Fans have also pushed back on a new jersey patch sponsorship, per Owczarski.

Next Preseason opens October 5 against the Timberwolves, with three more exhibitions against the Thunder, Hornets and Bulls before Milwaukee's regular-season opener October 21 at the Wizards.

Will Kevin Porter Jr. be ready for the start of the season?

His own estimated return from a knee injury falls on October 1, but Milwaukee has not confirmed he is cleared to play; the regular-season opener is October 21 at the Wizards.

When do the Bucks play their first preseason game?

Milwaukee opens the preseason October 5 at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves.