Bobby Portis has told the Bucks he will decline his $4.6MM option for next season, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The 27-year-old forward will be an unrestricted free agent, but there’s a good chance he’ll stay in Milwaukee on a more lucrative deal, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, who says Portis “seems destined” to sign a new contract worth more than $40MM over four years to remain with the Bucks.
The Bucks have Early Bird rights on Portis and can pay him up to $49MM over four seasons, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN (Twitter link). Marks adds that a new Early Bird contract must cover at least two seasons with no options in the second year.
Portis played an important role in Milwaukee’s title-winning team in 2020/21 and was just as valuable this past season. He moved into the starting lineup — starting 59 of the 72 games he played — and averaged a career-best 14.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per night.
Portis was the No. 13 player on our list of 2022’s top 50 free agents.
Pistons new power forward???
He’s not leaving the bucks
Bucks paying him 4/40 makes perfect sense. He could probably get overpaid in free agency (not his fault and best for him) but looks like he wants to win. Can’t knock it
They can pay up to 49 so they may do a 4/48. Why not
Bucks would have 11 signed at $168mil… Pretty far over luxury line… Portis may mot start until injuries happen, which is likely.
Some team will probably overpay him. Bucks have to be careful here. He’s been a good role player for them but not worth 12 plus a season good. If he leaves Milwaukee should look at Jalen Smith to replace him
Some team may well overpay him, but I don’t think $12mm/yr is an overpay. He’s actually earned a little extra from MKE for being underpaid the past 2 years. IMO, if Jalen Brunson is worth $25mm+/yr, Portis is easily worth $12mm.
You never know what a player will do once they become free agents. With that said, if he gets a huge overpay, he takes it….from the right team. Fringe players only get one crack at the big raise then it’s back playing for 3 to 5 million.
I wish I could get paid only 3 to 5 mil
I was thinking the same thing. Wish I had the skills where people would pay 50, 100, 200, or 1000 to see me work too.