Grading Bobby Portis’ four-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks
By Lucas Valind
Arguably the biggest focus for the Milwaukee Bucks entering the 2022 NBA free agency period was finding a way to retain Bobby Portis.
When the Bucks started free agency on fire, the first domino to fall was Portis. Multiple sources, including Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Portis and the Bucks were in agreement on a four-year deal to bring Portis back to Milwaukee. Many Bucks fans have to be ecstatic with the return of Portis, so let’s break down the signing and hand out a grade for the move.
The financial value of Bobby Portis’ four-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks
As reported by Charania, Portis will be returning to the Bucks on a four-year, $49 million deal. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reports that Portis’ contract has some things added. Portis has a 15 percent trade kicker in his contract, as well as a player option for the fourth year, per Scotto. This almost all but guarantees that Portis will be in Milwaukee for at least the first three years of his contract, and possibly all four.
This appears to be a great financial move for the Bucks, considering Portis was their starting center for a large majority of last season. Portis had a career year with Milwaukee in the starting role, as he averaged career-highs in points and rebounds per game. Having a player with the scoring and rebounding ability of Portis for a contract with an average annual value of a little over $12 million has big potential to be a steal for Milwaukee.
Portis likely would’ve been able to go elsewhere and become a more featured player. In Milwaukee, he will be behind Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday at least at all times. Portis understands his role though and loves being a Milwaukee Buck anyway, even if he’s not their primary guy. For the role that Portis is in, his contributions make this a contract that Milwaukee certainly could afford to dish out.