For weeks now, it felt like Bobby Portis would inevitably decline his player option to explore the free agent market this offseason. However, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Jim Owczarski recently did an AMA on Reddit, where he said, "I wrote early on I thought Bobby would be a S&T candidate after an opt-out. But the more I'm hearing is he may be more likely to opt-in."
Portis opting in makes sense for both parties
Had Bobby Portis not gotten suspended for 25 games earlier this season, opting out may have been an inevitable decision. However, losing those games certainly hurt his value quite a bit. If he were to hit the market, teams would make him compelling offers, but they may not be as gaudy as the veteran big man may desire. At 30, he may be seeking his last long-term, big-value contract.
That's why accepting his $13.4 million option and returning to Milwaukee makes sense, especially as the Milwaukee Bucks may be looking for a new starting five. If he returns, one would assume that the role would go to Portis, who played his best basketball as a Buck as a starter in 2021-22. If he earns that role again, he could put up big numbers and aim to cash out the following offseason.
Despite his defensive limitations and sometimes ill-advised shots, Bobby Portis is a quality fit for this Bucks squad due to his perimeter shot. Big men who can shoot the long ball will not be in large supply this summer, so keeping one who can makes plenty of sense. Milwaukee's best lineup late in the year involved Portis next to Giannis Antetokounmpo and three shooters. Building on that could be wise.
That's not to say Portis is a perfect fit. Like Lopez, to a lesser degree, there are certain matchups that exploit the big man. That's why bringing back someone like Jericho Sims, who is more of a defensive threat due to his mobility and athleticism, would be wise, as the coaching staff can cycle between the two situationally. They need different looks at center for certain opponents and lineups.
The center position will be under a microscope for the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason. The Bucks currently don't have a single center under contract. If Portis opts in, that would provide some clarity, but they need further tweaks. For the first time since 2018, the Milwaukee Bucks could very well be on the hunt for a new starting center.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.