1. Play well enough to have option years picked up by Bulls
As was the case with most of the younger players on the roster, Portis showed glimpses of potential, but failed to play well enough to solidify a spot in the rotation last season. And with the overall numbers he has posted so far, Portis has not been a true game-changer during his first two seasons in the NBA.
On the other side of the equation, with the changes the Bulls have made during the offseason, Portis will have an opportunity to showcase what he brings to the table on a nightly basis. Furthermore, according to Sean Highkin of The Athletic, the Bulls front office still believes Portis has a high ceiling and told him they consider him a major piece of the rotation going forward during their exit interviews.
Therefore, if Portis manages to turn in a productive season, the Bulls will be more than happy to pick up the club options for the next two seasons.
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Conversely, if Portis continues to be inconsistent, there’s also a good chance that his tenure with the team won’t go beyond the 2017-18 campaign.