Bobby Portis, Bucks
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Bobby Portis was the sticking point in the Milwaukee Bucks trade talks for Jonathan Kuminga.
The Milwaukee Bucks tried to acquire Golden State Warriors’ disgruntled young star Jonathan Kuminga.
But talks collapsed when they refused to include veteran big man Bobby Portis in the deal, ClutchPoint’s Brett Siegel reports.
“It is also worth mentioning that the Milwaukee Bucks were another team that kicked around the idea of pursuing Kuminga. If they were to do so, the Warriors made it known they would want Bobby Portis in a sign-and-trade scenario, which is something Milwaukee wasn’t willing to do,” Siegel wrote. “The Dubs have held interest in Portis dating back to before the 2024 NBA trade deadline.”
Jonathan Kuminga, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Getty Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks drives against Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors.
Portis re-signed with the Bucks earlier this offseason for three years worth $44 million, with a player option for the 2027-28 season. He is not eligible to be traded until after training camp.
Previously, the Warriors have rejected offers from the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns.
The Suns have offered the Warriors Royce O’Neale, Nick Richards and all their available second-round picks on top of the four-year, $90 million offer to Kuminga. On the other hand, the Kings initially offered Devin Carter, Dario Saric and two second-round picks before improving it to Malik Monk and a protected first-round pick on top of their three-year, $63 million offer to Kuminga.
Bucks Value Bobby Portis Highly
Before he re-signed with the Bucks, NBA insider Jake Fischer linked the veteran stretch big man to the Warriors.
“Golden State has always been a team to monitor for Portis, who has a notable fan in head coach Steve Kerr from their shared days during the 2023 FIBA World Cup competition with USA Basketball,” Fischer wrote on “The Stein Line” newsletter on Substack on June 11.
The 30-year-old forward-center was on the Warriors’ radar at the trade deadline before they acquired Jimmy Butler.
A sign-and-trade with Kuminga on the two-year, $45 million deal the Warriors have been offering would have worked. Kuminga would have made the Bucks younger and more athletic.
But the Bucks are not inclined to part ways with Portis, who is a beloved icon in Milwaukee after finding his footing there as their Sixth Man during their NBA championship run in 2021.
Bobby Portis Reacts to Warriors’ Interest
When he appeared on the “Run it Back” show on FanDuel TV on June 16, Portis reacted to the Warriors’ rumors.
“My first thought when it comes to these reports is: how do these people know so much?” Portis said. “How do these people [insiders] know these things so fast? Who is behind the scenes, calling and checking in and all this?”
One of the hosts, Michelle Beadle, cited Portis’ familiarity with Warriors coach Steve Kerr while playing for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup in Manila in 2023.
When pressed specifically about Golden State, Portis deflected and stated why he wouldn’t want to be an insider.
“All these guys that report these things, I don’t know if I would want that job,” Portis said. “I wouldn’t want to stay up all night, stand by my phone, gotta check in with guys at 3 in the morning. That’s a tough one to have.”