As a team, the overall goal of the Milwaukee Bucks is to silence their many doubters and get back on the right track with an NBA Championship next season.
Individually, as several players aim to help the team reach that goal, earning a raise in the offseason will also likely be somewhere in their minds. A handful of Milwaukee Bucks players will be eligible for new deals, and a strong showing in 2024-25, especially one capped off with an NBA title, could be just what they need to ink lucrative new contracts.
That said, let's analyze five Milwaukee Bucks who fit the profile.
Bobby Portis
Bobby Portis will make $12.6 million in 2024-25. After that, he has a player option worth $13.4 million for 2025-26. Though he has shown a willingness to sacrifice his own potential earnings to take more team-friendly deals in the past, there's at least a chance he'd want to be rewarded for his generosity with a handsome new deal, which could lead to him declining that option.
The big man is already one of the best reserves in the business, but if he wants to guarantee that he'll earn a raise next offseason, finally breaking through and taking home Sixth Man of the Year honors in 2024-25 would help. That honor would boost his individual stock tremendously, and teams would be lining up to pursue his services in a year.
Even without the award, plenty of teams would love to have Portis. He's a great second-unit spark on offense and a tenacious rebounder, two things that have made him a fan favorite in the 414. While he has his defensive shortcomings, there's no denying that he can help this team, and if he does so this coming season, the Milwaukee Bucks would likely aim to extend their partnership with him.