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A full guide to the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2022 offseason

By Jake Weinbach

HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 10: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks receives high fives from Pat Connaughton #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Bobby Portis #9 after a fast break dunk during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on December 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas. 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 Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 10: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks receives high fives from Pat Connaughton #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Bobby Portis #9 after a fast break dunk during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on December 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas. 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 Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks
May 11, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis (9) reacts to the crowd as they take on the Boston Celtics in the second half during game five of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Guide to the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2022 offseason: Bobby Portis’ player option

The most important part of the offseason for the Milwaukee Bucks will be re-signing their best producer off the bench, Bobby Portis. If the former Razorback decides to decline his player option for the 2022-23 season, that is. Portis has a $4.5 million player option set for next season, but after another great season, it seems unlikely that he will accept it.

The popular expectation is that the 27-year-old big man will decline the player option and enter unrestricted free agency for another consecutive year. Teams around the league will be very interested in Portis if he’s available, but it’s important to note that the Bucks hold his early bird rights, meaning that Milwaukee would be able to exceed the salary cap to re-sign him.

As a result, the Bucks should feel confident about retaining Portis, who averaged a career-high 14.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game while shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from three-point land during the regular season.

If (or when) Portis declines his 2022-23 option and enters free agency, expect the Bucks to offer him a deal somewhere around two years, $22million, which would almost triple his average salary from this season.

Portis has continuously expressed his admiration for Milwaukee, and it’s certainly a mutual feeling. When asked about his future this summer during his exit interview, Bobby explained, “I love it here. I love being a Buck. But it definitely comes down to them making it work.”

Bobby Portis has become an influential fan favorite in the city of Milwaukee, and the Bucks’ organization should make retaining him the top priority this offseason. It’ll come down to whether Portis’ agent and the front office can come to an agreement on a deal (and ownership’s willingness to spend deeper into luxury tax), but there will be optimism that he’ll stay in Milwaukee given the mutual fit, values, and interests.

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