JULY 6: The Bucks have officially re-signed Portis, the team announced today in a press release.
JUNE 30: The Bucks have reached an agreement to re-sign free agent big man Bobby Portis to a four-year, $49MM contract, agent Mark Bartelstein tells Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).
That’s the maximum amount that the Bucks could have given Portis using his Early Bird rights after he turned down his $4.6MM player option earlier this week.
The 6’10” Portis had a strong second season with Milwaukee, averaging career-highs in points (14.6) and rebounds (9.1) while appearing in 72 games (28.2 minutes per contest). He also started a career-high 59 games as center Brook Lopez dealt with a back injury which required surgery.
Portis, 27, is well-known for bringing lots of energy and intensity to the court, but he’s also a skilled offensive player, posting a .479/.393/.752 shooting line. He primarily served as a shooter for the Bucks to create space and driving lanes for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has said he loves playing with Portis.
While Portis is a limited defender, he’s a good rebounder and gives solid effort, he just makes poor decisions and has trouble staying in front of smaller players. He also isn’t much of a rim protector, but Antetokounmpo is a very good backline anchor, which covers up for Portis’ weaknesses somewhat.
Portis was a key reserve when the Bucks won the title in 2020/21 and is a fan favorite in Milwaukee. Given he’s the same age as Antetokounmpo and Lopez is 34 and will be on an expiring deal, clearly the Bucks viewed Portis as a priority to retain, and since they’re over the cap, it’s not like they could easily find someone to replace his production.
Good deal for Bucks
Good for Portis. He found a nice home with the bucks. Fans love him
BOBBY! BOBBY! BOBBY!
Well deserved. He’s not the most gifted guy, but the guy worked his way into being a really good player. Two 1+1 contracts is the hard way to EBRs.
Very deserving. Love his passion and his play. Feels like he was born in Brew City.
Took a team friendly deal after the chip and bet on himself. Glad the Bucks are holding up there end. With all the drama thats about to unfold I’m happy theres a feel good story sprinkled in lol
Poor Bobby. Can’t even get 50 million, and Bradley Beal getting that a year. LMAO.
He took way less already so I think he’ll survive on $12mm/yr.
He could have had more from another team. But not that much more probably. Anyway now we will never know— until he brings it up in some casual conversation about something else, like he was never really considering it.
Wondering if he’ll step into a full time starting role this year and Lopez comes off the bench. BL isn’t getting any younger, but at the same time I felt Portis kinda ran out of steam by playoff time.
I know almost nothing about the cap rules, so what kind of tax hit will this create, if any?
Literally called it
Literally everyone who knows anything called it. But if it makes you feel better give yourself a pat on the back.
This is another at least $10 million discount by him to stay, and it works as a floor spacer for Giannis, who also covers for him defensively, as well as their other defenders like Middleton, and Holliday. Also drafting Beauchamp as a playmaker that can defend. Really strong fit there