The Milwaukee Bucks may have not gotten any legit All-Star during the mid-season trade period but they got the best ‘steal’, at least according to Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Kevin Porter Jr. is one of the three newest Bucks this season alongside Kyle Kuzma and Jericho Sims. All three have found their niche in the line-up in just five to six games.
Kuzma’s production is expected while Sims only came in as a third stringer but is convincingly filling the role left by suspended Bobby Portis defense-wise.
As for KPJ, he is the steal of the trade deadline according to the Greek Freak.
“He’s nice, I’m not even going to lie to you,” Antetokounmpo said in an interview with The Athletic.
“I feel like he’s like a steal. He’s nice, guys, really nice. Defensively, he plays hard. I believe he’s one of those players that just wants to feel wanted. I’m not going to say loved, but he wants to feel that energy and wanted and he wants to be around a team that trusts him and trusts his decision-making. I love him.”
Numbers support Giannis Antetokounmpo’s view of Kevin Porter Jr.
Luka Doncic and Jimmy Butler were the biggest names that were moved before the traded deadline in February but KPJ is among those worth celebrating.
He came to the team after getting traded away by the Los Angeles Clippers for Marjon Beauchamp. He was not expected to produce that much this fast.
KPJ is averaging 9.8 points per game on 55.9 percent shooting, the second best in the team behind Antetokounmpo.
He had his best game so far in the comeback win over the Heat on Sunday.
Porter Jr. scored in three straight possessions in the fourth quarter to help the Bucks comeback from a double digit deficit with Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard taking a breather.
He also provided the assist to Sim’s first ever field goal as a Buck to give their team the lead for the first time, 97-95.
Porter Jr. himself is excited for the new chapter in his basketball career. If this type of play continue for him, the Bucks will be a scary opponent in the playoffs.
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