2. Average 16 points and 8 rebounds per game off the bench
Last year served as somewhat of a breakout season for the 6’11” big man from Arkansas. In 73 games, Portis averaged 13.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. He was particularly effective as a mid-range jump shooter, shooting 48 percent from short mid-range to long jumpers just inside the 3-point line.
Last season’s scoring spike could be attributed to opportunity. Portis averaged a career high 22.5 minutes per game last season and his numbers showed his worth. Even with Jabari Parker now on the team, Portis should be expected to earn the same amount of playing time in 2018-19.
Coming off the bench, he’s embraced his role as a scorer and energy guy. Playing with grit and tenacity, he also asserted himself more as a shooter, averaging 11.2 shots per game, a career high, up from his previous high of 7.0 shots a game as a rookie.
This season, as he’s entrusted more as a leader on this young roster, he’ll have even more of a green light by Fred Hoiberg to shoot whenever he has a clean look.