Bobby Portis became trade-eligible on December 15, and with the Milwaukee Bucks having a handful of days off before playing again, changes may be coming. Per The Athletic's Eric Nehm (subscription required), the Bucks are currently considering making a "significant addition" in hopes of proving to Giannis Antetokounmpo that they are a true contender. Any trade like that includes Bobby Portis.
A sizeable shakeup likely involves dealing Bobby Portis
The math is simple. Kyle Kuzma ($22.4 million) and Bobby Portis ($13.4 million) are third and fourth on the team in terms of salary this season. If the Milwaukee Bucks want to make a splash, a deal will have to include both of those contracts, in all likelihood. The next highest-paid player on the roster after those two is Kevin Porter Jr., who is making a tick over $5 million. That isn't helping much.
Milwaukee's rumored interest in Zach LaVine could be the move Nehm is talking about. To get such a deal done, Kuzma and Portis would both be required if Antetokounmpo and Turner are off the market right now. Is that the move that saves Milwaukee's season and keeps Giannis happy? Fans can debate about it all day, but this is just about the math.
One would think the Milwaukee Bucks would like to get something done sooner rather than later after a blowout 45-point loss to the Nets. Furthermore, as mentioned, the Bucks don't play until Thursday. A trade now would allow them to integrate their new piece(s) sooner rather than later and start what they hope will be a quick turnaround, rather than standing with their hands in their pockets.
Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that Portis has been playing well lately. Over his last five games, he's been Milwaukee's second-leading scorer and rebounder. He's playing incredibly well, raising his value. Other teams are taking notice of that and may be willing to pounce on him now, knowing he's a solid scoring threat and rebounder off the bench.
This isn't Portis' first go-round with trade rumors. He's lived through them for years. The question is whether this is the cycle where the forward finally finds himself on the move.
As it stands, he is just one of three players on the team from the 2021 championship squad, with the other two being the Antetokounmpo brothers. If this is it, it has been a heck of a ride for Bobby Portis since he first put on that Milwaukee Bucks jersey back in 2020.
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