Per multiple reports, the Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly signing big man Bobby Portis to a two-year deal to add some depth in the frontcourt.
The Milwaukee Bucks get some closure regarding their current frontcourt depth with their latest free agent acquisition.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Milwaukee is signing former No. 22 overall pick Bobby Portis to a two-year deal that was later reported to be worth $7.5 million. Charania noted that sources told him that the second year of the deal includes a player option and the Bucks will have to use one of their exceptions to bring him in, possibly the bi-annual.
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As for Portis, the fifth-year forward makes for a solid addition for the Bucks. Having made 66 appearances with the New York Knicks this past season, Portis averaged 10.1 points on .450/.358/.763 shooting splits, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across 21.2 minutes per game.
Portis put together a strong showing in the Big Apple, but the team reasonably wants to keep their financial flexibility open. He entered the free agent pool when the organization declined his $15.5 million team option for next season before the start of free agency. Primarily playing in a bench role, Portis’ hefty salary was obviously the reason to decline for New York.
He will undoubtedly play a similar role with the Bucks, but on a far more affordable deal and obviously with a team that offers him the chance to vie for an NBA title.
Bobby Portis is a solid addition for the Milwaukee Bucks, even if he is not a needle tipping addition.
Milwaukee’s frontcourt situation has been a newsworthy one since their season came to a close. With Marvin Williams having retired following the end to the Bucks’ season, Ersan Ilyasova being waived just a few days ago, and Robin Lopez reportedly signing with the Washington Wizards, adding some size was surely on their to do list. At 6’10 and 250 lbs., Portis certainly fits that bill.
On top of that, Portis is a solid floor spacer for a player of his stature. The big man shot 35.8 percent from behind the arc this season, just a tick under his career 36 percent 3-point average over his first five seasons. That serviceable shooting from Portis will undoubtedly come in handy down the road for a team that loves shooting the basketball.
At 25 years old, Portis is still relatively young and could develop into something special with the Bucks, especially playing a meaningful role on a team competing at the forefront of a championship. After stops with the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, and New York Knicks over the first five seasons of his career, Portis finds himself in a much different environment joining the best regular season team over the past two years.
Portis checks off several boxes for the Milwaukee Bucks and will be a strong addition to their frontcourt next season. Now we wait to see the financial figures in the deal, but it appears certain that Portis is heading to Milwaukee for the 2020-21 season. Welcome to Milwaukee, Bobby!