As Damian Lillard recovers from Achilles surgery, the Milwaukee Bucks should be looking for a secondary scoring threat in free agency or via trade. If they don’t manage to acquire one, however, they could lean on a familiar face any given night of the season, says Bucks insider Justin Garcia.
Portis Has Been Pillar of Consistency for Milwaukee Bucks
Co-host of the “Locked On Bucks” podcast, Garcia mulled a pair of surprising no. 2 options on which the team might depend. Alongside Gary Trent Jr., of them is fan favorite and fifth-year Buck Bobby Portis.
Trent is a free agent, and Portis will be too if he opts out of his 2025-26 player option. Each player has a solid floor and is capable of doing more in the right role. The front office should make re-signing at least one and preferably both a priority this offseason.
In terms of who is better fit for being an occasional secondary scorer behind Giannis Antetokounmpo, says Garcia, “I would drift to Bobby Portis first, because, I mean we’ve kind of joked, you know what you’re going to get from him where he’s basically guaranteed 15 and 10 anytime he touches the ball.”
Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks, Bucks news
Jan 11, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) celebrates with fans after a victory against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Last season, a year disrupted by Portis’ 25-game suspension for accidentally ingesting a banned substance, Portis averaged 13.9 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting 46.6% from the field. Business as usual for the 30-year-old backup center.
When given the reigns, Portis can produce at a higher volume. Albeit against the woeful Wizards, he manifested this ability by pouring in a season-best 34 points last December with both Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard out of the lineup. He also supplied 10 boards and eight assists.
In Game 2 of the first round against the Pacers, Portis scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds off the bench, sinking six of 11 three-point attempts. He has enjoyed a comfortable role as sixth man, but he may be able to contribute more.
Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks, Bucks news
Mar 22, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) reacts after scoring a basket during the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Untapped Potential at Age 30?
Garcia notes that in 2021-22, when starting center Brook Lopez missed most of the year injured, Portis stepped into a bigger role and posted career bests in scoring: 14.6 PPG, 5.8 FGM and 1.8 3PM per game. He recorded 9.1 RPG, his second-most, started a career-high 59 games and played his most-ever minutes at 28.2 per night. His shooting splits remained right in line with his averages as a Buck, indicating no real efficiency drop-off despite increased volume.
Garcia points out that even with Lopez absent, Portis nonetheless had to contend with prime Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton for touches. When Lopez returned to have his best Bucks season in 2022-23, Portis resumed more of a bench role (22 starts) but still came up with 14.1 points and 9.6 rebounds.
Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks, Bucks news
Nov 12, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) high five forward Bobby Portis (9) during the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Yes, Portis will be four years older next season, but he is only 30, still securely in his prime. Each of the past two years, he has logged fewer minutes than in his 2022 and ’23 seasons. He’s started 11 games total. If the Bucks indeed upped his workload, involving him more heavily in the offense, he could easily exceed his career-best numbers.
“You’ve seen him putting more on his plate and coming up big,” Garcia says.
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