Every once in a while, a relatively unknown player signs with a Milwaukee sports team and almost immediately becomes a fan favorite. That is what happened with Bobby Portis when he signed with the Milwaukee Bucks. After bouncing from Chicago to New York to Washington, Portis found a niche in Milwaukee. Milwaukee found their new favorite son. Chants of “BOBBY! BOBBY! BOBBY!” rain down on the court at Fiserv whenever he is in the game. For good reason, too. Bobby Portis is arguably the most important piece in the Bucks’ offseason this year, and Milwaukee should do whatever it takes to retain him.
Bobby Portis Is Key to the Success of the Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo is, without a doubt, the most important player on the Milwaukee Bucks. Khris Middleton, too, is very underrated in terms of how valuable he is to them team. The Bucks and their fans saw just how much he was missed in Milwaukee’s seven-game series loss to the Boston Celtics. The situation with Middleton, though, also highlights how important Bobby Portis is to the Bucks’ success.
The most glaring weakness on the Bucks’ roster all season long was bench scoring. In fact, Milwaukee ranked 27th in the NBA in points scored off the bench. Bobby Portis, who carved out his niche as the Bucks’ sixth man last season, was thrust into starting duty most of the year due to Brook Lopez’s back injury. Without Portis and his scoring punch, the bench’s production dropped dramatically this past season.
The Milwaukee Bucks will likely return all of their starters next season. Giannis and Middleton will be joined by Jrue Holiday, Lopez, and Grayson Allen (unless another shooting guard is found). Bobby Portis, if retained, would return to the bench, which is where he is most valuable to the team. In 12 playoff games this past season, Portis averaged 10.6 points and 10.0 rebounds off the bench. This is the kind of production championship teams need from their best bench player, and it will be nearly impossible to replace.
The Contract Situation
As it stands right now, Bobby Portis has a player option worth approximately $4.5 million for next season. That is about the same amount that he made this past season, and it was far less than what he could have made elsewhere. Indeed, Portis admitted that he had larger offers from other teams in free agency last season. However, he loves Milwaukee and enjoys how much he thrives in the Mike Budenholzer system.
Prior to coming to Milwaukee as a free agent, Bobby Portis averaged 10.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game for the Bulls, Knicks, and Wizards. In two seasons with the Bucks, Portis is averaging 13.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Truly, he fits the system perfectly. The only question is whether or not he will opt in or test the free agent waters. He has stated, repeatedly, that he loves Milwaukee and that the fans have given him the kind of welcome and adoration he never dreamed he’d achieve. Will that be enough to keep him around?
Only Bobby Portis knows that answer, but the Milwaukee Bucks should do everything they can to pay him what he is worth.
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