There's currently so much uncertainty at the center spot for the Milwaukee Bucks, but a new update on Bobby Portis may give them a hint of what's to come. Per NBA insider Jake Fischer, Portis, who is set to make a decision on his player option soon, is generating interest on the market as a midlevel contract candidate. If that's the best offer, he might as well return to Milwaukee.
The Bucks do indeed have interest in retaining the big man, per Fischer, so this tidbit could be a boost to their chances of keeping him in town.
Portis could play out next season with a bigger role to raise value
The midlevel this past season was worth $12.8 million. Portis' player option with the Bucks for next season is worth $13.4 million. Even if the midlevel number increases a tad, would taking that make more sense than sticking with the Milwaukee Bucks? If teams are offering a similar amount or even less, Portis, who has been with the team for half a decade, may opt to stay.
That question is especially prominent as it seems more and more likely that Brook Lopez will not be with the team next season. In that event, Milwaukee would need a new starting center, and Portis is the likeliest candidate. The big man played the best basketball of his career filling in for Lopez as the starter in 2021-22, and the same could happen again here.
If Lopez does walk, the Bucks don't have a clear-cut backup plan right now. Portis and Jericho Sims can hit free agency, and the market isn't full of players who can come in and immediately help. Portis isn't a perfect fit, but some of Milwaukee's best lineups this past season came when the team played Portis and Antetokounmpo with three athletic floor spacers. They could continue that trend.
It's not a decision players like to make, but opting in to his option could help Portis out in the long run. Granted that he earns the starting job, Portis could potentially put together the best year of his career and aim to cash out next offseason. After missing a good chunk of this past year due to suspension, he's simply not going to get the long-term deal he may desire.
Next year, however, could very well be a different story. At 30, there's still plenty of time for him to cash out on a future contract.
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