Bobby Portis #9 of the Milwaukee Bucks
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Bobby Portis #9 of the Milwaukee Bucks
There is a member of the Milwaukee Bucks that many teams around the NBA would like to see put into a trade soon, and no, it’s not Giannis Antetokounmpo. That’s not to say the Greek Freak might not be moved in the coming months–possibly in the coming weeks, but few expect a deal that size to come together mid-season–but just that only a handful of teams would be qualified suitors for Antetokounmpo, if he ever gets onto the market at all. Teammate Bobby Portis, though, is a different story.
Said one NBA executive: “I don’t think there is a team in the league that couldn’t use a guy like Bobby Portis. The contract is good. He’s a veteran. The performance has been there, he is shooting lights out. He has mellowed out as he has gotten older but he still has a little bit of fire and edge that you like, every team needs.
“The guy is being wasted this year with that team. And he is a guy who you have a realistic chance of making a deal for.”
Bobby Portis in Demand at Trade Deadline
Indeed, Portis is a tough-minded and versatile big man whose intensity does not seem to be contagious in the Upper Midwest, not with a Bucks team that has only sporadically shown a pulse this season. Milwaukee has been one of the most disjointed teams in the NBA, with the drama around Antetokounmpo and the possibility he could be traded on one side, and the rest of the poorly constructed roster on the other.
Portis is an undersize center who can play the 4, but is a stretch big who can defend any way you look at it. He is averaging 13.2 points on 49.0% shooting, and a career-high 46.7% from the 3-point line. While it might feel like Portis is a grizzled old vet, he’s still only 30.
And Portis is on a team-friendly three-year, $43.5 million contract that pays him $13.5 million this season. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that the Bucks had talked with the Kings about a package of Keon Ellis and Malik Monk for Portis.
“That is a good contract for anyone, half the league has called about him,” the exec said.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, Bucks, Lakers, Warriors
GettyGiannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks
Bucks ‘Understand the Situation’ Around Giannis Antetokounmpo
Portis has not given any indication that he is not happy with the Bucks, and he has often been the media’s go-to guy for commentary on what’s happening in Milwaukee with the Antetokounmpo situation.
He has repeatedly insisted that the Giannis talks are not affecting the team, even as Milwaukee has lost three of four and now stands 18-25.
“If it were my first or second year on the team with Giannis, I might be confused and not really understand what’s going on,” Portis said. “But this is my sixth year playing with him, my sixth year with the Bucks, so I understand the situation. Our team isn’t playing as well as we should be right now, and with the trade deadline approaching, it’s naturally a hot topic.
“And why wouldn’t it be? When you look at the type of player Giannis is and what he’s already done for this franchise, of course there’s going to be speculation. I get the full picture.