As expected, the Milwaukee Bucks have had a quiet offseason after their early exit from the NBA playoffs, where they were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers. Injuries to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard hindered Milwaukee’s postseason prospects.
Nevertheless, there have been recent trade rumors involving several Bucks players, including Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton, and Brook Lopez, as Milwaukee considers potential roster changes around Lillard and Antetokounmpo.
Despite these rumors, the Bucks have not yet traded any of these veterans. Trading Portis and Lopez this offseason would be surprising, given their significant contributions to the team’s recent success.
While it’s always possible for unexpected moves to happen during the NBA offseason, the Bucks should carefully consider any trade that could improve their team.
On July 4th, Portis posted a cryptic message on social media that caught the attention of Bucks fans. The tweet was unclear, leaving it uncertain whether Portis was addressing trade rumors or fan criticism. Regardless, it’s important to recognize Portis’s value, as he has been a top-3 finalist for the Sixth Man of the Year award in the past two seasons.
Portis averaged 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game off the bench last season, shooting a career-high 50.8% from the field and 40.7% from three-point range.
Given Portis’s role as one of the league’s top role players, it wouldn’t be wise for the Bucks to trade him unless they receive a significant upgrade. Portis will earn $12.5 million next season and has a player option worth $13.4 million for the 2025-26 season. Considering his production, his current salary is a bargain for the Bucks.
Ultimately, Portis is a crucial component of the Bucks’ success, and moving on from him would likely be a mistake.
