Bobby Portis has decided that he will stay with the Milwaukee Bucks to the tune of a $44 million contract for three years. This means the team will be able to keep one of the main pieces of its core as they try to return to contention next season.
Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks, Naz Reid
Jan 8, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) looks on during the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The People’s Champ, as Bucks fans call him, is one of the four players remaining from the team’s 2021 title-winning team. He has been with the team since 2020.
The 2015 22nd pick is now the sixth player in the team with a guaranteed contract, joining Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Kyle Kuzma, Pat Connaughton and sophomore Tyler Smith.
He is only the sixth player but already, the Bucks exceeded the salary cap. The current total of payout they will be giving for the 2025-2026 season is $156.1 million, around $2 million higher than the designated $154.6 million salary cap.
Milwaukee Bucks, Ryan Rollins, Doc Rivers, Kevin Porter Jr.
Feb 21, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers (M) talks to Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) and Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (3) during a stoppage in play against the Washington Wizards in the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Other players with non-guaranteed contracts are AJ Green, Andre Jackson Jr. and Chris Livingston. Veterans they are yet to tender an offer to are Kevin Porter Jr., Brook Lopez, and Gary Trent Jr. All these players were critical in Doc Rivers’ rotation last season.
Porter Jr. and GTJ are reportedly seeking to get paid.
Second apron and Milwaukee Bucks
Eric Nehm of The Athletic said the Bucks are now just $26 million away from the second apron, a threshold set by the NBA to limited teams’ spending. It is the final spending limit after the first apron and going over it will mean more severe punishment compared to the ones they received from going past the first one.
Here are some of the penalties for those who are past the first apron:
1. No sign and trade if the player they signed keeps them above it.
2. No signing of players waived while the season is ongoing if they are earning $12.2 million mid-level exception.
Jon Horst, Doc Rivers, Milwaukee Bucks
Jan 27, 2024; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Doc Rivers (right) speaks at a press conference with general manager Jon Horst as Rivers is introduced as the new head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
The second apron will be harsher as it will also affect the future of the team.
1. All First Apron penalties
2. No more access to free agency MLE/absorbing contracts
3. No trading of first round picks for seven years
4. No trade exceptions transactions from the past years
5. No cash in trade use
6. First round pick will become a late first round if they don’t manage to go below the second apron for 3 out of five tears.
The Bucks are already having struggles trading for good players through picks and get Giannis some help as their next first round pick will only happen by 2031.
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