Although Bobby Portis Jr. has become a favorite among Milwaukee Bucks fans, an argument can be made that he has outlived his usefulness to the franchise. This is confirmed by the latest NBA analysis, which considered him a potential candidate for replacement next season.
Portis has emerged as a key bench player for the Bucks, displaying impressive offensive skills over the past few seasons. In the 2023-24 seasonplayed in all 82 games, averaging 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds while maintaining an impressive shooting percentage of 50.8% from the field and 40.7% from three-point range. His contributions placed him second in the league in bench scoring with 1,052 points scored off the bench and he recorded 16 double-doubles, the most among reserves.
Despite his offensive skills, Portis’ defensive play is a concern. At 6-foot-10, he often struggles to hit the hoop and lacks the speed needed to effectively protect smaller players in transitions. His pick-and-roll defense often causes him to hedge too early and fail to recover effectively from contested shots.
Portis’ defensive lapses were highlighted in the postseason when he was kicked out for violent behavior in a key game against the Indiana Pacers, which shows a lack of awareness in high-stakes situations, especially when the Bucks are missing key stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Bobby Portis Jr. with the Milwaukee Bucks a potential trade candidate for the 2024–25 season
Although Portis has proven to be an integral part of the squad, there is still a chance that he could be sold next season for a very good reason. This is explained by NBA analysis by Cody Smith from Sports Illustrated.
Bobby Portis, who is scheduled to earn around $12.6 million this season and has a player option of $13.4 million for the 2025-26 season, could be the most coveted trade acquisition the Bucks have on their roster. “Portis has been the victim of trade rumors over the last few seasons and that doesn’t seem likely to change in the coming year,” Smith wrote.
Ahead of the 2024-25 season, improving defensive tenacity will be key for Portis to silence his critics. With examples like teammate Brook Lopez making All-Defense teams later in his career, Portis has room to grow.
Using outside criticism as motivation could support him improve his all-around game and solidify his role on the Bucks lineup. However, if he fails, expect Milwaukee’s front office to find him a up-to-date home in exchange for assets that will support Giannis Antetokounmpo’s team win another ring.
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