The Milwaukee Bucks may finally pull the plug on Bobby Portis for real by the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline. Rumored to be on the block for years, HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto recently named him as the main outgoing piece in "exploratory" trade talks with the Kings. The Bucks would get back Malik Monk and Keon Ellis, giving them a shot creator and a promise-filled 3-and-D guard.
It's a questionable move for a variety of reasons, but for those who have followed the team's struggles this season, it wouldn't be much of a surprise.
It won't move the needle, but don't be shocked if the deal gets done
Trading Portis for Monk would effectively just redistribute bench scoring from one position to another. While both are capable sixth men, Portis has had the better season thus far, averaging 13 points and 6.5 rebounds per game on 49.1/47.6/74.4 shooting percentages. Monk has averaged 11.6 points and 2.4 assists on percentages of 43/40.5/85.
The main, significant difference is that Monk is more of a creator off the bounce, whereas Portis, while he has a bag off-the-dribble, is more of a post scorer and catch-and-shoot machine beyond the arc. However, the swap would also rob the Bucks of much-needed size and rebounding and delegate backup center minutes to Jericho Sims. That option has worn off its shine.
Milwaukee would moreover be absorbing Monk's less favorable contract, which, including this season, has three years and $60.5 million. Monk has a player option for 2027-28. Portis' contract follows the same structure but is worth only $43.6 million.
Those drawbacks noted, with how Kevin Porter Jr. has careened off the rails of late, it's no surprise the Bucks are seeking guard help. To make matters worse, Ryan Rollins is also stuck in a bad slump. He's shot poorly in four straight games, only once making more than two field goals.
Even if those two rediscover themselves, the team could still use a Cole Anthony replacement after that experiment went decidedly bust.
The Bucks have also communicated their interest in Ellis throughout their talks with Sacramento, potentially including as a piece in a Zach LaVine deal. Despite a dismal shooting season, the fourth-year guard remains appealing across the league as a future two-way cog. His defensive abilities are without a doubt, and his 42.7 percent mark from distance over his last two seasons suggests that his 38.5/35.7/63.3 splits this year are something of an outlier.
Clearly, the Bucks need playmaking. The front office has dangled Portis on multiple occasions, including over the summer sign-and-trade rumors. Fans tracking this pattern shouldn't be caught off guard if this is the year general manager Jon Horst finally pulls the trigger.