Whether Bobby Portis exercises his player option by the June 30 deadline should tell the Milwaukee Bucks a lot about their situation in the frontcourt. Along with Portis, centers Brook Lopez and Jericho Sims will also be free agents this summer. The Bucks are not expected to bring back Lopez, and, despite his effectiveness at times last season, Sims is probably a lower-end reserve at best. If Portis opts out, they will be left with Giannis Antetokounmpo and 20-year-old Tyler Smith.
Thanks to the Khris Middleton trade, though, which allowed the Bucks to sneak under the second apron, they have some flexibility to address this hole.
Ruminating on the “Locked on Bucks” podcast, team analysts Justin Garcia and Camille Davis suggest an unlikely but possible move Milwaukee could make to solidify the roster if Portis leaves.
Milwaukee Bucks Could Pursue Western Conference Forward Looking for Bigger Role
After falling to the Thunder in the Conference Finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves may have some personnel questions of their own. With several players due for raises, they have only so much salary to give out.
Like Portis, power forwards Julius Randle and Naz Reid both have player options. While recent reports suggest Portis may opt in to his, the latter two will likely test the market.
For all practical purposes, Randle is above the Bucks’ pay range. Assuming Reid declines his $15 million option, he would not be cheap, either, but he is a far more realistic choice, especially in a sign-and-trade scenario. Seeking a starting role, he may be on his way out of Minnesota, where he has spent his career as a sixth man.
Reid and Portis do have extremely similar skillsets – both are stretch bigs offering offensive punch. Last season in Minnesota, Reid averaged 14.2 points, six boards and 2.3 assists while shooting 37.9% from distance. Portis’ numbers are almost identical. If the Bucks would be interested in Reid, why not just re-sign Portis – especially since he will likely be a bit cheaper?
Fair question. Garcia presents two reasons why replacing him with Reid makes sense for the Bucks.
Naz Reid Has Portis’ Skills at Younger Age
Reason #1: Reid’s desire for an increased role is something the Bucks could accommodate. “You want to be a starter, we can offer that to you,” Garcia says of the Bucks’ potential pitch.
Unless Milwaukee snags a starting-caliber center to replace Lopez, Doc Rivers would not have a better alternative to a small-ball lineup featuring either Portis or Reid at the five. Both have experience in that function as reserves.
Using a sign-and-trade, Garcia says, would allow the Bucks to pay Reid an appropriate salary. The details of the proposed deal are a bit murky – essentially a Portis-for-Reid swap? – but it could be done.
Portis would make sense in Minnesota, as the Wolves could simply slot him into Reid’s role without complaint. And, Reason #2 for the Bucks, Reid is also five years younger (25 versus 30), making him a better match for the team’s goal to get younger.
“I think Bucks fans would love him,” says Garcia. He does clarify, however, that he doesn’t expect the deal to happen, and that it assumes Giannis stays in Milwaukee, giving the team a chance to be competitive next season.
But given the Bucks’ new cap space and the fit of a stretch-four like Reid next to Antetokounmpo, “It is worth at least mentioning, because it is a possibility now.”
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