7 bold predictions for Milwaukee Bucks 2021 offseason

2 of 7

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 20: Bobby Portis #9 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates with fans during the second half in Game Six of the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns at Fiserv Forum on July 20, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

6. Bobby Portis declines player option and walks in free agency

Bobby Portis came to Milwaukee last season hoping to rebuild his image and play for a championship-contending team. It’s safe to say he accomplished both tasks. He’s on record saying he received offers last year for way more than the two-year, $7.4 million (2021-22 is a player option worth $3.8 million) deal he agreed to with Milwaukee.

He has to make a decision about whether to accept that player option by August 1 (the new NBA league year begins on August 2, as does free agency). He’ll likely decline the option and hit the open market in search of a much larger deal somewhere around $10 million per season.

That will take the Bucks completely out of the equation. Because they are well over the salary cap thanks to the combined contracts of Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the most they’d be able to offer Portis is $5.9 million in 2021-22 (that’s the taxpayer midlevel exception).

Theoretically, they could sign Portis with that $5.9 million next year and then re-sign him the following offseason to a much bigger deal using his bird rights. However, that’s a huge risk for Portis. Expect him to not only decline his player option, but walk in free agency as well.

Home/Milwaukee Bucks