Appearing on the Run It Back podcast (hat tip to Real GM), Bucks forward Bobby Portis said he believes it’s an even-money proposition on whether Giannis Antetokounmpo gets dealt this summer. There were weeks of intense trade rumors surrounding Antetokounmpo heading into the deadline, and that process is likely to resume during the offseason as Milwaukee hasn’t been able to make a strong push for a play-in spot.
“Uh, I’m at a five, bro. I’m right in the middle. … For real, it’s up in the air, man,” Portis told the hosts. “Obviously, just being here, our goal just isn’t to make the play-in, right? The goal isn’t to just make the playoffs. Since I’ve been here, since 2020 during the pandemic, the goal has always been championship. So, I don’t know what that outlook is for next year. I don’t know what (general manager) Jon (Horst) and his staff are going to put together to make the roster better, make us better, so we can compete for championships next year. I don’t know that.”
Portis added that questions about Antetokounmpo’s future have been part of every summer since 2020, except for the Bucks’ championship season. He expects speculation regarding Antetokounmpo to peak heading into the draft in late June.
There’s more from the Central Division:
- Matas Buzelis is close to becoming the first Bulls player to finish with 100 blocks in a season in nearly a decade, Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times notes in a subscriber-only story. The second-year forward ranks seventh in the league with 94 rejections and brings a much-needed element to the team’s defense. ‘‘I’m really good at timing the block and knowing when guys will try and finish when they’re going up,’’ Buzelis said. ‘‘It’s something I feel like I’ve had since I started playing basketball. I just try and translate it to the NBA. Obviously, it’s a little harder, but you’ve got to realize what guys do when they’re driving, how they finish. I feel like I’ve got the timing and the verticality. Straight up at the rim, it’s hard to finish over me since I’m so tall. But it’s definitely something I have.’’
- The Pistons misfired at the trade deadline by bringing in Kevin Huerter as their major addition, contends Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports (Twitter video link). O’Connor points out that Detroit needed more shooting and a second creator on offense, but gave up Jaden Ivey for Huerter, who’s only averaging 13.6 minutes per night in eight games since the deal.
- Cavaliers wing Max Strus is moving closer to making his season debut, which could happen in the next week, Joe Vardon of The Athletic states in a story highlighting the work Strus’ foundation is doing to help children dealing with serious health issues.
Buzelis has been better on defense but still has a ways to go. I’ve seen him guard Maxey with the game on the line earlier this year. Ideally I’d like him to be a little more active in the passing lanes given his length and frame. We know the athleticism will help him on blocking shots and recovering on guys. Overall it’s been a huge building block to see him excel and get better at both ends of the floor. I didn’t realize he’s 9th in BPG at 1.5. If he can take better shot selection, he should be an all star next year.
Now only if Donovan get can fired and Buzelis actually gets unleashed, it’d be a great sight for Bulls fans.
You are right about Donovan, but Buzelis is a good #3 – they need a serious big, and a SG who plays defense. Then maybe they start to get somewhere. Giddey probably shoukd be playing SF and like the Pippen role – but he would have to progress to at least average on D. Thus, a SG who can play D, a serious big at C, and then you can tolerate Matas at PF, with a low-mistake PG like Tre Jones, and some decent role players.
In other words, they need to turn over almost the entire roster through the draft, with maybe 1 or 2 FA signings of role players.
This might happen if AKME and Donovan are gone, not much hope of that.
Agree with you at the 4. Buzelis is a 3. SG we also need a shot creator. That’s why I’m high on Wagler from Illinois. I’m not sure what they’re plan is for center but if it’s logical, then it should be thrown out at the door, because this front office is not logical, if that’s the case, we’d have Derik Queen lmao.
FWIW I think they’ll let Noa be the 4 next year and give him every possible way to lose that opportunity.
Pistons fans, ain’t like Ivey is doing much for us anyways. Was a bad trade for both sides lol.
Tough for Huerter to knock down shots while stacking DNPs