A Steve Kerr favorite could land with the Golden State Warriors this offseason.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Warriors could pursue Bobby Portis in free agency if the versatile big man declines his $13.5 million player option in favor of a longer contract.
“Team executives expect Portis to have numerous potential landing spots in the midlevel market as well, although Milwaukee would like to bring back the 30-year-old forward, sources say. Golden State has always been a team to monitor for Portis, who has a notable fan in head coach Steve Kerr from their shared days during the 2023 FIBA World Cup competition with USA Basketball,” Fischer wrote on The Stein Line newsletter on Substack.
The 30-year-old forward-center was on the Warriors’ radar at the trade deadline before they acquired Jimmy Butler.
“Outside of talks surrounding Butler and [Zach] LaVine, the Warriors have also been keeping an eye on multi-team deals that could happen around the NBA. With all the noise surrounding the Bucks recently, Bobby Portis’ future has come into question. If Portis were to be moved, the Warriors would certainly consider getting involved to land him, as he’s a fan of Kerr’s and the front office, sources said,” Clutchpoint’s Brett Siegel reported on Friday, Jan. 31.
Bobby Portis Undecided About Future in Milwaukee
Getty Bobby Portis remains non-committal on his future with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Portis is a fan-favorite in Milwaukee but there is an air of uncertainty hovering above the city with their limited financial flexibility and the long-term future of their franchise star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Portis was undecided when he spoke about his future after another Bucks’ early playoff exit.
“Right now, I think the biggest thing with me is just enjoying the present, not worrying about what’s to come in June, but just standing in the present, focusing on my family,” Portis said when he appeared on the May 9 episode of “Run It Back” on FanDuel TV. “Obviously, it was a crazy year for me.”
Portis was suspended for 25 games without pay in February after he tested positive for the painkiller Tramadol, a violation of the league’s anti-drug program. He returned in April, but he couldn’t prevent the Bucks from losing in the first round to the Indiana Pacers.
Portis averaged 13.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and a career-high 2.1 assists in 49 games for the Bucks this season. He shot 36.5% from the 3-point line after hitting 40.7% the previous season.
Staying With the Bucks Remain an Option
Portis’ future in Milwaukee hangs in the balance after the Bucks’ third straight first-round exit.
“Like, if you’re looking at business-wise, how does someone that’s a GM of the team look at the team losing three straight years in the first round? So it all depends on how everything shakes up,” Portis said.
The 6-foot-10, who was a perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate in Milwaukee, said he is deferring his decision until the NBA Finals are over.
“I don’t really know how it will go, how it will shake out, but I’m standing there now,” Portis said. “I’m blessed. Like I said, I love Milwaukee. I love playing here. It’s been fun playing basketball with this city, with this team, and hopefully we can continue to run as we go on for the future. But I don’t have that decision made or know what’s going to shake until after the season’s over.”
