Bucks sign Bobby Portis to two-year deal

Free-agent big man Bobby Portis has reached an agreement to sign with the Bucks, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic. He’ll get a two-year contract with a second-year player option, Charania adds.

The Bucks are signing Portis using their bi-annual exception, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks. That will mean a $3.6M first-year salary with a $3.8M option for 2021-22.

The Knicks declined an option on Portis earlier this week to make him a free agent. New York reportedly had an interest in re-signing the center, but instead, he heads to the Eastern Conference powerhouse Bucks.

Portis, 25, appeared in 66 games (five starts) for the Knicks last season, averaging 10.1 points and 5.1 rebounds. The Arkansas native spent his first three-and-a-half seasons in the Windy City with the Bulls before he was shipped to the Wizards in February 2019.

With Milwaukee, Portis and his 6-foot-10, 250-pound frame will get major minutes backing up the big man duo of reigning two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez.