Kevin Porter Jr. Picked Up His $5.4 Million Option, And Nobody's Bidding On That Defense

Yo, NBA free agency in 2026? It's shaping up to be WILD, especially when you look at the point guard market. We're talking about the strongest position overall, with two All-Stars leading the pack and at least six other guys who could be starting for someone. But while most of the big names are doing exactly what you'd expect, there's one move that has everyone scratching their heads: Kevin Porter Jr. reportedly picked up his $5.4 million deal for the 2026-27 season. Wait, what?!

The Superstar Standstills: Predictable, But Still Powerhouses

Alright, let's get the obvious stuff out of the way. When it comes to the top-tier point guards, don't expect much drama. James Harden, currently with Cleveland, has this super complicated contract with a player option and a partial guarantee. But honestly, it's a no-brainer. He's probably going to decline that option and sign a fresh two-year deal with the Cavs, likely in the $65 million to $70 million range. The dude will be 37, so this gives him some long-term security, and it helps Cleveland's salary cap situation. Seriously, it'd be shocking if he's not rocking a Cavs jersey on opening night.

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Then there's Trae Young in Washington. We've all seen this guy, right? He's a one-man wrecking crew on offense and an elite passer, no doubt. But let's be real, he lost a step a couple years back, struggles with switches more than he used to, and yeah, he's "flammable on defense" even if he tries now. He's a small guard heading into his age-28 season, and he's already agreed to a monster four-year deal with a player option for around $212 million. The Wizards could've played it smarter with their cap, like a three-year, $110 million total deal to open up some cap room in 2027. But even after opting out, there's almost zero chance Young is going anywhere else.

The Under-the-Radar Movers and the Bucks' Head-Scratcher

Beyond the superstars locking it down, we've got Collin Gillespie in Phoenix making some waves. The dude just agreed to a four-year, $48 million deal last week! His career was kinda quiet until he exploded at age 26 last season, and he was absolutely fantastic. This guy's a career 40.5 percent three-point shooter on serious volume, can handle himself on defense, and runs an offense. The Suns are smart, using their early Bird rights to keep him, Jordan Goodwin, and Mark Williams without blowing past that second-apron payroll threshold.

But the real head-scratcher? Kevin Porter Jr. in Milwaukee. The guy picked up his $5.4 million deal for 2026-27. Think about it: he was the Bucks' second-best player in 2025-26, and he could even be their best when camp kicks off. BUT he shot a measly 32.2 percent from three in 38 games. And let's not forget his "issues at other stops and iffy commitment to defense." The Bucks have early Bird rights, so they could offer him up to an estimated $15.6 million to keep him, beating what other teams could offer with a non-taxpayer MLE. But with those red flags, it looks like there won't be much competition for his services at eight-figure prices. It feels like Milwaukee's taking a huge gamble, hoping that upside outweighs the past.

So, there it is. The 2026 point guard market is full of big names staying put, smart moves by savvy teams, and one really intriguing bet on a talented but flawed player. What does this mean for team building across the league? Every decision has ripple effects. Get ready, because the next few seasons are going to be a wild ride watching how these contracts and commitments play out!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.