With free agency starting Thursday, Wednesday is the deadline for Bobby Portis’ player option. Considering the fact that the Milwaukee Bucks have his bird rights, he was an integral piece of the their championship run, and he is a fan favorite, it is likely that Bobby Portis will return next year. However, given the volatility of free agency and the propensity for the Bucks’ ownership to cheap out, there remains a distinct chance that Portis is wearing a different uniform next season. If that were to happen, here are a few guys the Bucks can target to try and fill his position.
Potential replacement for Bobby Portis if he leaves the Milwaukee Bucks: Otto Porter Jr.
Otto Porter Jr. is fresh off a NBA title where he played an integral role on both ends of the floor for the Warriors. A true 3-and-D wing, Porter Jr. did a little bit of everything for the Warriors during their championship run, culminating with a Finals performance where he knocked down 56% of his threes. On top of that, he helped execute the Warriors’ switching scheme by showcasing his defensive versatility as both an on-ball guy and a weakside rim protector.
While Porter Jr. would not walk into a starting role with the Bucks, he could potentially play big minutes as a 4 in lineups with Giannis at the 5. Last year, the Bucks struggled with finding that guy to unlock those small-ball lineups they had when P.J. Tucker was still around, and Porter Jr. could be that key.
It is true that he is smaller and less physical than Portis, and would almost certainly provide less on the glass or in punishing mismatches. However, Porter Jr. would still help the Bucks diversify their defensive schemes given his agility and length, all while knocking down the open shots he would inevitably get by playing next to Giannis Antetokounmpo.