NBA Notes: Bucks, Kevin Porter Jr, Warriors, Knicks, Malcolm Brogdon

Bucks

Kevin Porter Jr. is set to take over as the Bucks’ starting point guard, coach Doc Rivers said when asked about the team’s plans following the departure of Damian Lillard.

Speaking with reporters, Rivers explained that Porter’s new role represents both an opportunity and a challenge, per Eric Nehm of The Athletic.

“He started out as a high draft pick. He started. They put the ball in his hands. He could literally take any shot and he did,” Rivers said. “And now he comes from that, from not playing at times, coming off the bench, being out of the league, to now back to starting.

“And that’s a huge responsibility for him to run the team and still be aggressive. That’s the hardest thing to do, I think, in basketball… I’m sure at times he’ll be great at it and then at times he may struggle at it, but we’ll support him and get him right.”

Porter spent two seasons as the starting point guard in Houston before being out of the NBA during the 2023–24 campaign following a domestic violence incident. He returned with the Clippers last season, then flourished after being traded to Milwaukee at the deadline.

In 30 regular-season games with the Bucks, he averaged 11.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 19.9 minutes, shooting 49.4 percent from the field, 40.8 percent from three and 87.1 percent from the line.

Warriors

The Warriors have officially added veteran big man Al Horford, who agreed to a two-year deal worth the taxpayer mid-level exception with a player option for the second season, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the agreement on September 28, adding that Horford is expected to be Golden State’s starting center as he enters his 19th NBA season.

According to Anthony Slater of ESPN, the Warriors targeted Horford early in free agency and finalized the signing just before camp.

His decision to leave Boston was influenced in part by Jayson Tatum’s torn Achilles and the departures of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, per Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe.

Horford, who spent seven of the past nine years with the Celtics and won a title in 2024, posted a thank-you message to the team and city on social media.

Charania noted that Golden State views Horford as an ideal fit alongside Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green thanks to his size, passing, defense and floor-spacing. Horford, 39, considered retirement before choosing Golden State.

The Warriors also signed De’Anthony Melton to a two-year minimum-salary deal with a player option for Year 2, per Scotto. Melton is still rehabbing from last season’s ACL tear and is expected to miss the start of the year.

Seth Curry has also signed an Exhibit 9 deal, and with Golden State tight against the second apron, he’s expected to be waived before opening night with a potential midseason return once cap space allows. The Warriors now have a full 21-man preseason roster.

Knicks

Veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon says he not only expects to make the Knicks’ regular-season roster, but also plans to crack new coach Mike Brown’s rotation, telling Stefan Bondy of the New York Post he views his skill set as versatile enough to fit anywhere.

Another report indicated New York is leaning toward keeping both Brogdon and Landry Shamet into the regular season, which would require a roster-clearing trade to make it work.