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Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis Makes Relatable Confession About NBA Cup: Dec 21, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) speaks during a presentation of the NBA Cup before a game against the Washington Wizards at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis Makes Relatable Confession About NBA Cup: 'It’s Fun To Win $500K'

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By John Sbisa | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 9:56 PM ET

Earlier Wednesday, the NBA revealed the groups for its third annual in-season tournament, known as the NBA Cup. The Milwaukee Bucks, the defending champions, draw the Knicks, Bulls, Hornets and Heat in the group stage. NBA Cup rules are slightly different than regular-season guidelines, as point differential serves as a tiebreaker. All games except the final count toward a team’s record. The winners also receiver a $500,000 prize. That might not be a lot to multimillionaires, but at least for Bucks big man Bobby Portis, money is money.

Repeat Crown Would Also Give Milwaukee Bucks like Portis 2X Lifetime Cup Earnings

This season’s Cup will tip off October 31. In December 2024, the Bucks defeated eventual NBA-champion Oklahoma City 97-81, becoming the second-ever tournament winners after the Lakers brought home the hardware in the inaugural season.

Portis did not have a great shooting game, going 2-9 for 5 points, but he contributed in other ways: 9 rebounds, 3 assists, +13 in box score plus-minus.

Although some fans have dismissed the tournament as a waste of time and blatant cash grab, Portis told Sports Center there it brings players a variety of positives.

“It keeps you locked in. It gives you an early incentive throughout the season. So I love it. I love our group. It’s going to be tough, obviously, in these type of settings. Any team can make it, so every team feels like they have a chance to win. That’s what makes the Cup so good, and it’s fun to play in.”

Milwaukee Bucks: Advanced Stats Reveal 1 Pending Free Agent Who Improves the Play of Giannis Antetokounmpo the Most 4 Dec 17, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) grabs a rebound against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) during the 4th quarter of the Emirates NBA Cup championship game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

The Bucks caught fire heading into the final against the Thunder. Their victory, though unofficial in the standings, was their 11th in 13 games. Winning the Cup boosted Milwaukee’s stock in the public eye after the season’s early rough patch.

Of course, there’s more to like than the competition, spotlight, and chemistry building. Portis has too much a sense of humor not to point out the obvious.

“It’s fun winning $500K,” he laughed. “I can’t sit here and act like it’s not fun seeing $500K just show up.”

Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis Makes Relatable Confession About NBA Cup: Dec 14, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) arrives on the red carpet before the Emirates NBA Cup semifinal game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images

While the winnings would be a fraction of his $13.4 million salary next season, half a million is still a substantial sum. For guys like forward Tyler Smith, that’s a quarter of the year’s paycheck. The Bucks have a decent shot to advance from their fairly soft Group C pool. Expect Portis to bring A-game effort, just like any other night, but with the added incentive of a trophy and accompanying sack of cash.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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