Bobby Portis wanted to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks, a wish that was granted at the beginning of the offseason when he re-signed with the team on a three-year, $44 million deal. It happened before what fans worried would be an offseason where Giannis Antetokounmpo requested a trade, which, of course, didn't happen.
One of the key members of the Bucks' 2021 title team left in free agency — Brook Lopez — but Portis stayed. The upcoming season will be arguably the most important in Milwaukee, with there still being plenty of questions about Giannis' future, making the Portis re-signing that much more important.
Portis has been in the running for Sixth Man of the Year the past few seasons, finishing third in 2024-25 for the second consecutive year. He averaged 13.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game this past season, shooting 46.6% from the field and 36.5% from three.
He's already been counted out next season for Sixth Man of the Year, which is silly, considering the reputation he's built in Milwaukee. The success of the Bucks may hinge on Giannis, but Portis is one of their most valuable players. His championship experience will hopefully come in handy for Milwaukee next season as the team seeks to break its streak of first-round playoff exits.
Bobby Portis got his wish to stay with the Bucks
Portis is coming off his fifth season in Milwaukee, the longest he's spent with any other team by a season-and-a-half (he was in Chicago for three-and-a-half seasons). He spent half a season with the Wizards in 2018-19 before signing with the Knicks as a free agent in the 2019 offseason.
New York declined his team option the following season (2020-21), leading him to Milwaukee in a move that helped the Bucks win the 2021 title. It ended up working perfectly for Portis and Milwaukee.
The 30-year-old forward could finally do what Bucks fans have been waiting to see next season: win Sixth Man of the Year. Milwaukee was busy this offseason, with one of the team's most-talked about moves being waiving Damian Lillard. It should result in there being an even greater opportunity to highlight Portis' scoring off the bench.
That isn't the top honor that Portis is worried about, though. Like Giannis, he wants to win another title with the Bucks. Like Giannis, Portis chose to stay in Milwaukee this summer. Hopefully, those decisions will result in some more hardware for the Bucks.