Doc Rivers’ look at Michael Porter Jr. adds to Milwaukee’s trade speculation

Trade speculation surrounding the Milwaukee Bucks has intensified this week after Bill Simmons revealed the head coach Doc Rivers‘ longstanding admiration for Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. The discussion came up on the latest episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast as Milwaukee continues to explore ways to add talent around former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Simmons said Rivers has been a constant supporter of Porter dating back to his time with the Denver Nuggets, where Porter played a key role on a championship roster but often operated out of the spotlight.

“I thought about Milwaukee with him because I know Doc loves him. When Doc used to come on my podcast, he always thought Porter was underrated for Denver. He liked that he bounced back.”

Simmons expanded on why Porter’s profile may appeal to teams looking for an edge without sacrificing the championship experience.

“It feels like it never happened to that guy and now it’s kind of portrayed as, well, it never happened to me, but I was on a team where I never had the ball. It’s like you can relate to that. Him winning the title is the key thing for me. If you hadn’t won the title, it would have been like, I don’t know, it’s fun to be on a pro team, but now it’s fun to be on a pro team. He’s won a title.” Again, a small sample, but at least he showed it. I think he’s a really intriguing trade capital.

Michael Porter Jr.’s career year with the Nets comes in the midst of the Bucks’ ever-increasing trade

Porter, 27, has had the most productive season of his career since being traded to the Brooklyn Nets in the offseason. In 24 games, he is averaging 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 40.1 percent from three-point range in 32.8 minutes per game. Brooklyn opened the season 9–19, but has shown signs of improvement, winning six of its last nine games, including a 114–106 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night.

While Porter’s name has come up through the Rivers connection, Milwaukee continues to evaluate multiple opportunities. ClutchPoints NBA Insider Brett Siegel recently reported that The Bucks could re-engage the Portland Trail Blazers in trade talkspotentially targeting Jeramie Grant and Robert Williams III.

“Some believe the Bucks, who already have a working relationship with Portland since their Damian Lillard trade, have a path to land both Grant and Robert Williams III as impactful additions at the trade deadline to improve the team on both ends,” Siegel wrote.

For now, Porter remains the focal point of Brooklyn’s plans as the Nets wrap up a doubleheader against the Minnesota Timberwolves (20-10) on Saturday night at 8:00 PM ET.

Milwaukee, meanwhile, is 12–18 after snapping a three-game losing streak with a 111–94 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. The Bucks continue a five-game road trip with Antetokounmpo sidelined with a soleus, starting Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies (14-16) at 8:00 PM ET. As the trade deadline nears, Rivers’ look at Porter has added another layer to the Bucks’ evolving calculus.