While the Milwaukee Bucks remain inactive as the deadline looms, multiple outlets continue to link two teams to a player of their own. Reporter Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints has named the Golden State Warriors and several sources, including the Detroit Free Press, have listed the Pistons as suitors for backup Bucks big Bobby Portis.
Says Siegel:
If the Warriors can’t swing for the fences and pull off a huge move before the trade deadline, other options for improvement still exist. Golden State still holds a level of interest in Vucevic, sources said, and Milwaukee Bucks big man Bobby Portis remains a player the Warriors, and other organizations, are monitoring.
More recently for Detroit, content creators on the Pistons Talk podcast and The Detroit Elite on X have connected Portis to the Pistons following the Free Press’ suggestion last week that the team pursue the 6’10 center-forward.
For the Bucks, however, dealing him to either team doesn’t make sense except as part of a larger trade–especially given how Milwaukee has fared without him.
The Golden State Warriors May Want Him, But the Milwaukee Bucks Actually Need Bobby Portis
Monday’s loss to the Thunder marked Portis’ 6th consecutive absence due to personal reasons, with no timeline for his return. After rolling off 8 wins in 9 tries, Milwaukee has gone 1-5 in that period.
While their struggles are by no means wholly attributable to missing Portis, they have clearly suffered from the lack of a third big. Brook Lopez in particular has been asked to assume an unfair burden, something Doc Rivers acknowledged following Milwaukee’s loss to San Antonio last Friday. He looks exhausted at times, and Rivers said as much.
In light of the team’s performance without him, trading Portis may no longer be as popular among Bucks fans.
Others in the league, though, would no doubt be interested in his services.
Bobby Portis Stats in 2024-25: 13.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.0 APG, 46.6 FG%, 36.4 3PT%, 81.7 FT%, 41 GP, 24.7 MPG
While his defense is lacking, he offers the range and shot creation that has become a necessary luxury in the frontcourt, making the most of his limited playing time. He is a proficient and consistent scorer and rebounder, averaging over 14 PPG the last four seasons and over 7 RPG for the past five. These qualities make him a desirable asset for teams in need of size and spacing.
Trading Portis Would Only Work as Pawn in a Larger Scheme
Neither the Pistons nor the Warriors have tradeable pieces that would interest Milwaukee. In theory, Golden State could send Brandin Podziemski and Kevon Looney, but would they really sacrifice two important rotation players, especially one like Podz on a favorable contract making $3.5 million in 2024-25 with three years left.
Would the Bucks would really sacrifice Portis for that kind of return?
More likely, he would be exchanged as salary filler within broader machinations to bring in high-level talent. Alternatively, Milwaukee could trade him for draft picks that could then be used to acquire said talent. In any deal involving him, however, the team would need to find a capable replacement. That much is non-negotiable.
Given the team’s recent play, the notion that GM Jon Horst would simply salary dump Portis for little in return seems ridiculous. Any move of that kind could be accomplished via Pat Connaughton’s $9.4M salary.
While recipients would likely prefer Portis’ ability and subsequent trade value, meaning that Milwaukee would not need to send out draft capital as they would with Connaughton but rather could expect to receive picks themselves, his role in Milwaukee is too important to part with for scraps. Get it done with Connaughton or don’t do it at all.
Trading Portis is still very much in play, but only if the move cannot be otherwise accomplished (as with Pat) and only if it helps snag a worthwhile return.
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