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3 Milwaukee Bucks players Orlando Magic could look to add for next season

By Luke Duffy

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 01: Bobby Portis #9 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket on Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic during the first half of the game at Fiserv Forum on March 01, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 01: Bobby Portis #9 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket on Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic during the first half of the game at Fiserv Forum on March 01, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 John Fisher/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – APRIL 19: Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – APRIL 19: Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

3 Milwaukee Bucks players Magic could look to add for next season

1. Bobby Portis

Could Bobby Portis be this generation’s Horace Grant for the Orlando Magic?

We might need to pump the breaks on that particular comparison, but there is no doubt Portis would help defensively and engage a Magic crowd that continues to fall more in love with this version of the team.

It gets trickier because Bucks fans rightly adore Portis for all of the same reasons, and would not want to see him go.

Like Draymond Green and Marcus Smart, Bobby Portis is the emotional heartbeat of his team, and it may be that he is more valuable to the Bucks than he would be anywhere else in the league.

As we have already mentioned though, there are going to be fall guys for what happened during the playoffs on this Bucks roster. Fans love Portis, but if the front office was able to free up the cash or turn him into a different player or two, they would consider it.

Every player not named Giannis Antetokunmpo should be on the table, and if that means Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday are, then Bobby Portis surely is too.

Portis generally comes off the bench already, and he would relish being the sixth-man enforcer for a young group. He could show them how to see out close games, and perhaps even take Wagner under his wing in showing him some of the dark arts in how to operate in and around the paint.

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Portis is still under contract for three more years, with the third being a player option and the figure never rising about $14 million per season. This means it would cost the Magic something of actual value to get Portis, but the asking price is likely to be a valuation they are well capable of handling.

A future first-round pick? Perhaps that is too rich for the Magic.

What about Chuma Okeke and a pair of second-rounders? The Magic could easily absorb that extra cash into their cap room. Although the Bucks surely want some more value to remain in title contention.

Are fans ready to have the conversation where Jonathan Isaac heads to the Bucks in a deal? Bol Bol might intrigue. Portis is a win-now player, but there may never be a better time to add a guy like him than right now, when the Bucks are reeling.