Bobby Portis returning to Bucks on four-year, $49 million deal
MILWAUKEE (BVM) – Earlier in the week, Bucks fans may have been nervous as Bobby Portis opted out of his contract with Milwaukee to become an unrestricted free agent. However, the expected move has still led him back to the team he became an NBA champion with.
In the early minutes of the NBA’s free agency period that began on Thursday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Portis plans to return to Milwaukee on a four-year, $49 million contract.
Free agent F Bobby Portis is returning to the Milwaukee Bucks on a 4-year, $49M contract, his agent Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022
Portis received the Early Bird maximum amount he was able to receive from the Bucks, and the move keeps the fan-favorite in Milwaukee while finally giving Portis the money he has earned. Agreeing to consecutive two-year deals with player options on the back end, Portis signed for just $3.6 million in 2020 and $8.9 million in 2021.
The 6-foot-10 forward keeps a championship contending roster intact revolving around the Bucks’ big three of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday. It could also be a sign that Portis becomes the Bucks’ big-man of the future, as Brook Lopez has just one year left on his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent next offseason. Lopez is now 34 years old and coming off a tricky back injury that caused him to miss a large chunk of last season.
Portis filled in admirably while starting 59 games in Lopez’s place, having a career year while averaging 14.6 points and 9.1 rebounds.
Of course, he became a Bucks fan-favorite for his hard-nosed style of play and willingness to mix it up throughout his first season in Milwaukee, and that was on full display as he helped the Bucks to an NBA championship last July.
"I love those Bobby chants, man."
This means a lot to Bobby Portis. 🏆#NBAFinals presented by YouTube TV pic.twitter.com/lbOjokGfdD
— NBA (@NBA) July 21, 2021
Drafted No. 22 out of Arkansas by the Chicago Bulls in 2015, Portis also had stops in Washington and New York before finding his home with the Bucks.
Milwaukee will look to solidify its roster further after falling in seven games to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs last year, and continue to do so by coming to a reported agreement with former Jazz forward Joe Ingles on Thursday as well.
Free agent forward Joe Ingles reached an agreement with the Milwaukee Bucks, league sources tell @YahooSports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 30, 2022
The team has also brought back veteran guard Wesley Matthews on a one-year deal, as well as Jevon Carter on a two-year contract.
Free agent Wesley Matthews has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022
Free agent guard Jevon Carter has agreed to a two-year deal to return to Milwaukee, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022
The four moves already on Thursday have the Bucks at a projected $64 million luxury tax payment.
Joe Ingles getting $6.5M taxpayer MLE on top of this, leaving Jevon Carter and Wesley Matthews with minimum deals or small Non-Bird raises.
Bucks are now projected with a $64M luxury tax payment with a full 15-man roster. https://t.co/uR33HCN0m0
— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) June 30, 2022
More moves can be expected throughout the NBA on the opening night of free agency. But for many in Milwaukee, Portis coming back was the most important move of the offseason. The “Bobby!” chants will be alive and well in Fiserv Forum for the foreseeable future.
