5 moves the Milwaukee Bucks should make in the offseason
By Todd Welter
The Milwaukee Bucks need to re-sign Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton if they exercise their player option.
Portis and Connaughton will most likely opt out of their contracts in hopes of a raise. Both have been key role players the last two seasons.
Portis was vital this season as he stepped into the starting rotation for most of the season when Brook Lopez was out with a back injury. He averaged a career-high 14.6 points per game along with a career-best 9.1 rebounds per game. He also shot 39% from the three-point range.
Portis has earned a raise from the $4 million he made last season. He is already a Milwaukee legend for being benched in last year’s Eastern Conference Semifinal series against the Brooklyn Nets and not complaining. Then he came back in the Eastern Conference and NBA Finals to help the Bucks win a championship.
He further cemented his place in the hearts of Milwaukee Bucks fans by returning on a team-friendly deal.
Portis bet on himself, and it looks like he is set to cash in.
The Milwaukee Bucks have Bird rights so they can offer Portis a nice raise regardless of their salary cap. Since Lopez is nearing 35, the Bucks would be wise to lock up the 27-year-old Portis long-term.
Portis can also continue to bet on himself by opting out and signing another two-year deal, with the second year being a player option.
If (or when) Bobby Portis declines his $4.5M PO for next season and becomes a free agent, the Bucks should offer him a deal around two years, $22M.
— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) May 23, 2022
As long as ownership’s willing to spend further into the luxury tax, Portis will stay in Milwaukee.https://t.co/JJ7k4g8All
Connaughton has been a staple of the Milwaukee Bucks’ bench since 2018. He posted a career-best 9.9 points per game and 39.5% three-point shooting percentage.
His versatility and shooting off the bench make him a key cog on any title contender. Connaughton is also another fan favorite. The Milwaukee Bucks would be wise to bring him back with a nice raise.
The Bucks should not just re-sign Portis and Connaughton because the fan base loves these two players. They should be re-signed for the value they bring towards winning in the playoffs and ultimately winning a title.
Portis was sixth in defensive win shares in these playoffs, which is up from ranking 62nd in the 2021 postseason.
Connaughton had a 103.3 defensive rating. Portis picked up the scoring slack in the first-round series against the Chicago Bulls after Khris Middleton was lost to an injury. Connaughton shot 39.1% from three in this year’s playoffs and 38.9% in 2021.
Portis is still young enough to improve his game and should be the Bucks’ future at center. Connaughton still has plenty of good years left to help win a few more rings.