The man that bet on himself this season is in position to cash in. The Lakers, Clippers, Jazz, Bucks, Magic and Knicks are among the teams expected to have interest in Bobby Portis, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports reports.
Portis turned down an extension with the Bulls earlier this season and was rumored to be seeking a deal worth $16MM annually. While it’s not clear what kind of deal Portis receive in restricted free agency, it will certainly be a raise on his 2018/19 salary of approximately $2.5MM.
The Wizards are likely to extend a qualifying offer to Portis, which will be worth about $3.6MM.
The Bulls—the franchise that drafted Portis with the No.22 overall pick in the 2015 draft—traded him to the Wizards along with Jabari Parker for Otto Porter Jr. prior to the trade deadline. Washington is expected to decline Parker’s $20MM team option for next season, though even if both players signed elsewhere, the Wizards will have trouble carving out cap room.
[RELATED: 2019 NBA Offseason Salary Cap Digest: Washington Wizards]
The franchise is looking at approximately $89MM in guaranteed salary on the books for next season. The team will have a version of the mid-level at its disposal (the taxpayer’s MLE if over the projected $132MM) and the bi-annual exception will be available if it can stay below that tax line.
If Al Horford does indeed leave Boston… Portis could be a nice fit for the Celtics. Assuming Horford doesn’t resign the C’s would most likely be able to afford to bring back Rozier and still make Portis a solid offer in the $15M+ range (they would have to let Marcus Morris go in this scenario – but that may well be the case anyway)
As a C’s fan I don’t mind your thinking…Portis stepped up his offense once he was traded
I prefer Randle
The next time Randle plays defense will be the first time. Just saying.
I prefer Gendron
I see your reasoning but Portis is a SF or PF. How does he replace Horford who is a Center?
Disabled Player Exception…c’mon Chris Crouse pick your game up…
In order for the Wizards to get a DPE, there’d have to be a belief that Wall will be sidelined through at least June 15, 2020, which would be 16+ months after his Achilles injury. Not sure the Wizards can count on that.
Wherever he goes, just make sure his competition for playing time has quick reflexes and a tough jaw.