Without a doubt, the Milwaukee Bucks will be one of the most talked about teams in the NBA this offseason. As has become the norm, the national media and opposing fan bases will talk unceasingly about why two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo should demand a trade away from the Bucks and to a larger market.
But while the nine-time All-Star himself has not explicitly stated that he wants out of Milwaukee, he also has not reaffirmed his commitment to the Bucks going forward. Of course, he recently signed a massive contract extension that ties him to Milwaukee for the next three seasons, and has said as recently as earlier this past season that he is not the kind of guy who will request a trade.
A third-consecutive first round playoff exit, though, has only fueled speculation that Giannis will change his mind. But while the NBA world is focused on what the Greek Freak may or may not do, another Bucks star has to decide if he wants to come back himself.
Milwaukee Bucks Star Bobby Portis Puts the Front Office on Notice as He Weighs His Player Option
Bobby Portis has spent the last five seasons of his career in Milwaukee and has averaged 13.6 points and 8.3 rebounds during that span. He has been named a finalist for Sixth Man of the Year twice (finishing third both times), and finished ninth in voting for the award in 2020-2021.
With Brook Lopez slated to hit free agency once the season officially ends, many expect the Bucks to let him go and make Portis the starting center (or power forward) alongside Giannis in the front court. However, in order for that to happen, Portis would have to pick up his player option for next season.
And he is not sure if he will do that:
Bobby Portis on his player option with the Bucks this offseason:
“How does someone that’s the GM of the team look at the team losing 3-straight years in the first round? … I would love to be in Milwaukee…they call me the mayor.”@BPortistime | @MichelleDBeadle | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/Q6qlUFtwfn
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 9, 2025
“It is a huge decision that I have to make. I love Milwaukee, love playing with the Bucks. Obviously, I’ve been here five years now and we won a championship throughout that run. Got to the second round in the second year, obviously the last couple of years have been first round exits.
“Being complete honest right here, I mean business wise, how do someone who is the GM of the team look at the team losing three straight years in the first round, so it all depends on how everything shakes out.
“I would love to be in Milwaukee. I love it here. They call me “The Mayor” here, right, so I don’t know how you can leave a city where you’re the mayor. But it’s going to be up in the air with how they maneuver the roster, whoever they want to bring back.
“It’s really going to be all on the organization to wanna bring certain guys back, whatever it is.”
Portis did state that the timeline of his decision is “so far” in the future at this point. He does not want to commit one way or another until after the season ends, and until he knows what the front office plans to do in the offseason to build a roster that will hopefully compete for a title.
More Milwaukee Bucks News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Bucks Could Pursue Free Agency Reunion with 2023 Sixth Man of the Year
- Thanasis Antetokounmpo Announces Podcast Guest from Bucks Front Office
- NBA Insider Contradicts Giannis’ Previous Statements; Gives 3 Cities as Preferred Destinations
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