The Golden State Warriors have had their eyes on Bobby Portis for a while now, and with trade chatter around Giannis Antetokounmpo picking up steam, the door might finally be open for them to land one of the NBA’s most consistent sixth men.
Portis, a 6'9" forward known for his energy and scoring punch off the bench, has been floating around in trade conversations for some time. But if Milwaukee moves on from Antetokounmpo, it could trigger a broader reshuffling of the Bucks' veteran core - and Portis would be right in the middle of that.
How Portis Fits into a Potential Warriors-Bucks Deal
According to recent reporting, the Warriors’ pursuit of Antetokounmpo could include taking back a veteran contract like Portis’ (three years, $43.5 million remaining) or potentially Kyle Kuzma’s, depending on how the financials shake out. A hypothetical deal might involve Golden State sending out Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga to make the numbers work.
Now, let’s be clear: Portis isn’t the kind of player who’s going to headline a blockbuster deal. But that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be a meaningful addition to Golden State’s rotation. In fact, he might be exactly the kind of complementary piece the Warriors need if they’re going all-in on a superstar like Giannis.
A Bench Spark Plug with a Proven Resume
Portis has carved out a reputation as one of the league’s top bench players, finishing third in Sixth Man of the Year voting in both 2023 and 2024. He’s been remarkably steady over the past several seasons, and this year is no different - averaging 13.2 points and 6.6 rebounds in just 24 minutes per game.
Even more impressive? He’s hitting nearly 49% from the field and a scorching 45.8% from deep on over four attempts per game.
That kind of shooting efficiency is tailor-made for a Warriors team that thrives on spacing and ball movement. Portis could slot in as a stretch big who doesn’t need the ball to be effective, which is crucial when you’re sharing the court with the likes of Stephen Curry and (potentially) Giannis.
The Defensive Question Mark
Of course, there’s a reason Portis hasn’t been a full-time starter despite his offensive production - defense. He’s not known for his lateral quickness or rim protection, and that’s always been the knock on his game. But in Golden State’s system, there’s a chance those flaws could be masked to some extent.
Playing alongside defensive anchors like Draymond Green and Al Horford (if Horford remains in the fold) could give Portis the support he needs on that end. The Warriors have historically done a solid job of hiding defensive liabilities within their scheme - especially when the offensive upside is worth the tradeoff.
Why This Move Makes Sense Now
Golden State has flirted with the idea of bringing in Portis before - even before last summer’s free agency period. Head coach Steve Kerr reportedly became a fan of Portis during their time together with Team USA, and that familiarity could play a role in how this all shakes out.
But the timing is what really matters. With the trade deadline looming and the Warriors reportedly going big-game hunting for Antetokounmpo, the opportunity to also bring in a dependable role player like Portis could be too good to pass up. If the Warriors are serious about building a contender around Curry in the final chapters of his prime, every piece of the puzzle matters - and Portis might be one of them.
He won’t grab the headlines, but he could help win some playoff games. And in Golden State, that’s the kind of addition that could make all the difference.