The Miami Heat haven’t exactly been thriving with their offseason acquisitions from the Bucks. Obviously Giannis Antetokounmpo is the highest-profile name, but Bobby Portis has also found himself in a key role for the Heat - and he’s struggling in it. Portis is having his worst season since his sophomore year, and giving the Bucks some relief that they at least got off his contract.
Trading Portis was not a loss for Milwaukee
Although the Bucks did make some desperate moves around Giannis’ trade saga, shipping out Portis was not one of them. This season, Portis is averaging just 7 points and 6 rebounds while shooting 37% from the field and 33% from three. He’s a far cry now from the championship role player he was during his Bucks heyday.
The Heat’s role players, including Portis, have been so bad that they might affect Giannis’ long-term outlook with the team. Miami sits at just 4-6 so far this season, including some bad losses to the Hornets and Mavericks. The Bucks are obviously even worse off, but they’re focused on a rebuild rather than trying to compete for a title.
Portis’ decline isn’t a surprise to the Milwaukee faithful considering his performance last season. Then, he averaged 14 points and 6 rebounds per game on 49% shooting from the field and 46% from three-point range. But it was becoming clear that Portis had become overly reliant on his outside shot.
That weakness is even more obvious this season, as Portis is making just 43% of his 2-point attempts. His post scoring is no longer as effective now, and he’s not as active on the boards either. In addition, Portis has gotten slower and therefore worse on defense over the last few years as he’s gotten older.
The Heat got the worst version of Portis
All of Portis’ declining skills and athleticism have combined into a career-worst package. In terms of pure production, he hasn’t been this bad in 10 years. But at least in his first couple seasons, he was more active as a rebounder and defender.
Now at age 31, Portis doesn’t bring the same hustle either. His shortcomings this season have contributed to the Heat being disappointing on both ends, but especially defense. Miami’s defensive system, with the injection of Giannis, was supposed to produce elite results but they rank 25th in defensive rating so far.
Portis is still making $14.5 million this season and has a player option next season for $15.6 million, which he will almost certainly take. The Bucks have enough other bad contracts on their books; they should be glad to have gotten rid of Portis at least over the summer.
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