The Milwaukee Bucks could be trying to force-feed Bobby Portis onto any team that ends up trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo. While it may seem annoying if the Bucks are all of a sudden making this requirement for a deal, especially if a team believes they're close to an agreement, adding a depth piece like Portis could end up working out for a team like the Miami Heat.
According to Miami-based writer Tim Reynolds, there is a growing belief that Portis will be included if (or when) Giannis is traded. Whether Portis would be sent to the team that acquires Giannis or not remains to be seen, but if this is indeed the case, it wouldn't be that surprising.
In the Heat's case, it could be one of the reasons why a trade is being held up. There is a chance that Miami could be looking for a third or fourth team to take on Portis, instead of having to absorb him onto their books.
Bobby Portis could make sense if the Heat acquire Giannis
However, on the other hand, if they had to, the Heat taking on Portis in a larger Giannis deal wouldn't be the end of the world. Assuming they can make the money work (probably using their $16.8 million trade exception), there's a scenario where Portis could be a useful piece for the Heat.
Especially if the Heat are forced to gut their roster, bringing back Portis as part of the Giannis return could help Miami solve one piece of the mystery of what this roster could look like around the superstar forward.
Still only 31 years old, Portis is coming off an underrated season for the Bucks. Portis averaged 14 points and six rebounds on 48 percent shooting from the field and 47 percent shooting from 3-point range while mostly coming off the bench.
No matter how you look at it, Portis could be a big part of the puzzle for the Heat's new-look supporting cast if they can pull off a move for Giannis.
The Heat are going to need a primary big man to back up both Bam Adebayo and Giannis. Portis is probably one of the best possibilities for Miami. Not only would Portis make sense as a veteran depth piece, but he'd also add some much-needed toughness that has been lacking on the Heat since the departure of Jimmy Butler.
Of course, bringing back Portis in addition to Giannis wouldn't answer all the questions that the Heat's front office will be facing, but it could be the start of a promising post-trade retooling.
While it may seem frustrating on paper, this is the type of "inconvenience" that could end up playing in the Heat's favor.
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