Milwaukee and Dallas have held exploratory talks centered around a trade of Bucks forward/center Bobby Portis for Mavericks forward Grant Williams, Marc Stein reports in his latest Substack story.
At this time, it’s unclear if the discussions will become “more serious,” Stein adds.
As Stein writes, Williams has had a disappointing first season with the Mavs, but the Bucks are intrigued by his defensive versatility, with defense a priority for Milwaukee. Portis is certainly a much more accomplished scorer and rebounder than Williams, but he isn’t known for being a stout defender.
Portis, 28, is in his fourth season with the Bucks. The hard-working big man is a fan favorite in Milwaukee, playing an important role off the bench during the team’s championship in 2021.
Portis, who is averaging 12.6 points (on .500/.380/.779 shooting) and 6.9 rebounds in 23.7 minutes across 50 games for Milwaukee this season, earns $11.7MM this season and is under contract through 2025/26, with that final season a player option.
Williams, meanwhile, is averaging 8.1 points (on .410/.373/.729 shooting) and 3.5 rebounds in 45 games (26.5 minutes) this season for Dallas. He’s in the first year of a four-year, $53.3MM deal.
For what it’s worth, if this deal comes to fruition, I’d be surprised if it’s a straight one-for-one swap — I would imagine the Mavs would have to add at least another asset or two.
Why would the Bucks trade Bobby Portis for shorter, fatter Bobby Portis?
Hahaha. Exactly. Last year Celtics fans were FREAKED OUT at the thought of Williams leaving, Now that he’s gone….he aint missed a bit.
LMAO nah fr
Lol!! Well played.
Agreed. Can’t see what is so great about Williams. Mavs overpaid for Williams.
There’s got to be more to it. At last check, Portis (a true two position big) was a highly valued commodity across the league, whereas Grant Williams (an undersized one position 4) was valued just north of toxic waste.
Maybe this is MIL’s way of getting a FRP which they can in turn offer to ATL for Murray. It’s what they did with Holiday, albeit below the radar.
Williams is an undersized 4 who is a horrible rebounder, Usually a guy his size and build can at least pull down some boards.
He’s 13th in rebounds per 36 minutes on Dallas behind hardcore rebounders Kyrie Irving and Dante Exum. Yes, Kyrie gets more boards per minute than Williams.
link to basketball-reference.com
Mavs won’t offer any first round pick for Portis
Instead, Mavs would ask for some draft picks from Bucks too
Bobby is 28 years old
Williams is 25 years old.
I like this kind of body type — look like ball
Lu Dort, Draymond, Grant Williams
Ball Shape body type that can occupies the space in the paint.
I like Big Baby Davis too.
No team really wants Grant Williams. That is why Boston let him walk. He’s just a role player who thinks he’s better than he is. Kind of like that former Hawks player Josh Smith who thought he was LeBron and thought he was a max player. Hawks dumped him. Smith is younger than LeBron and has been out of the league 10 years.
Wow! It only took a half of season to realize that Williams was way overrated! Why would you trade Portis for him? If I am Dallas, I would take this deal and run!
Warriors
I’d trade Wiggins for Williams and an expiring contract
I always liked Grant Williams but he got EXPOSED being on a non championship team. His value has dipped pretty harshly, they might have to throw a asset in there to get a solid Big (which the bucks know they want and need a big) like Bobby Portis
Bucks fans will blow a gasket if Portis is dealt. Simple.
From dropping Bud to trading a sh*t ton to get Dame (including trading Jrue who they traded a sh*t ton to get)to firing Griff to Portis for Grant Williams reeks of one desperate move after another to show they are “trying” to improve the team for Giannis. They broke up a team who had the best record in the NBA last year and it is apparent there is no plan other than do something. Doc Rivers may be taking a losing record into his all star coaching duties this year. He sure didn’t have any magic touch to turn things around.
^ This. 100% this. Was basically saying almost the exact same thing to my brother. Sure, Horst has done some really good things for the tean, but he also has his fair share of head-scratchers.
And, really, with the limited available resources, how much improvement can be made? I’d argue that it’s going to be marginal upgrades at best that will only further hamstring the team in the future. But maybe Horst is thinking he’ll just peace out sooner rather than later?
This is BS. Bucks would never trade Portis for Grant Williams. Bucks need a guard that can defend. That would be Murray.
Won’t be happening unless Middleton is centre piece, even then don’t have the picks for Atlanta to recoup. Murray is a point guard. I’m sure he’d still play well next to Lillard like he has Trae but the man’s at his best as a point guard. Off season, Murray for Towns. I’m sure both parties can find fillers to make it work. That’s if Utah don’t want Dejounte now or this off season.
Portis is too valuable to be traded for Williams!
Now if the Bulls had any sense they would do a deal that might net him back to Chi-town!
While they’re at it why not trade Giannis and Lopez for Lowry, and Lillard to the Bulls for Ball.
Ball and LaVine!
Williams is basically Niang, with a tad more defensive effort.
Now that’s an insult.
That would be their 2nd dumb trade in less than a year
Moving Portis is a mistake.
The mistake was moving Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen and picks for Dame who can’t defend a one-legged pirate.
Was this a late friday night after a win phone call?
Seems like the source was making a drunken attempt at a joke…
Everyone only talks about Jrue. Lost their two best perimeter defender’s when Grayson Allen got dealt. To make this move seems like a panic move. Middleton on the hot seat this off season.
Being on the hotseat means nothing. He just signed an extension which is guaranteed. The only hotseat is the one the Bucks GM is sitting on. He should have let Middleton walk or done a sign and trade. The guy is clearly done.
Exploratory Talks means they really didn’t have a story to write about so they made one up.