The Milwaukee Bucks are likely going to be moving on from starting center Brook Lopez this offseason. This projected move would save the Bucks salary cap space as well as allow them to have a younger and more athletic starting center.
And they may have their answer in Bobby Portis, who started at center back in 2021-22 while Lopez was recovering from back surgery. That season, he averaged 14.6 points and 9.1 rebounds while shooting 48/39/75 from the floor.
That being said, one of the questions the Bucks needed to answer this offseason was what to do with Portis and his contract. Indeed, he played a big role in that answer, too, as he had to decide whether or not to pick up his player option for the 2025-26 season.
As it turns out, he is declining it in order to sign a new three-year deal to stay in Milwaukee.
The Milwaukee Bucks Have Signed Bobby Portis to a Three-Year Contract
Milwaukee Bucks, Bobby Portis
Jan 19, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) high fives forward Bobby Portis (9) during the first quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
According to ESPN’s senior NBA insider Shams Charania, the Bucks and Portis have a agreed to a three-year $44 million contract that includes a player option for the 2027-28 NBA season:
Bobby Portis intends to sign a three-year, $44 million contract to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, with a player option for 2027-28, sources tell ESPN. Bucks and Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports reach a new deal for the sixth man extraordinaire and fan favorite in Milwaukee. pic.twitter.com/Y8AgzaUSDP
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2025
This deal gives Portis a slight raise as his player option for this season was due to be worth roughly $13.5 million. He will make around $14.6 million annually with this new contract.
Bobby Portis Has Found a Home with the Milwaukee Bucks
Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks
Feb 10, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) stands during the National Anthem before game against the Golden State Warriors at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Portis was originally drafted by the Chicago Bulls back in 2015 and spent three-and-a-half seasons there. However, he did not seem like a good fit (especially after getting in a fist fight with a teammate) and they traded him to the Washington Wizards.
After a year with the New York Knicks, Portis believed he was one of the missing pieces that could help Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks win a Championship. And so, he contacted the two-time NBA MVP and told him so.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Portis joined the Bucks in the 2020-21 season and averaged 11.4 points and 7.1 rebounds while finishing ninth in Sixth Man of the Year voting. Of course, Milwaukee did win the title that year as well.
After primarily starting in 2021-22, Portis returned to his bench role and finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting in each of the next two seasons, averaging 13.0 points and 8.1 rebounds during that time frame. Last season, he averaged 13.9 points and 8.4 rebounds in 49 games, but was infamously suspended 25 games for violating the league’s drug policy.
As mentioned, with Lopez likely gone, Portis now stands a chance at being a starter once again.
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