Bobby Portis has ‘significant’ interest in Utah Jazz

Bobby Portis has ‘significant’ interest in Utah Jazz

Bobby Portis has ‘significant’ interest in Utah Jazz
NBA

Bobby Portis has ‘significant’ interest in Utah Jazz

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According to Tony Jones of The Athletic, Bobby Portis has “significant interest” in coming to the Utah Jazz. Utah is currently short on Power Forwards as they sent Jae Crowder to Memphis in the deal for Mike Conley. Utah drafted a potential stretch for in the late 2nd round in Jarrell Brantley, but few rookies are able to come in a produce on a playoff team, and a TINY percentage of second rounders are able to do that.

Last season Bobby Portis played for both the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards where he averaged 14.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on 50.4% eFG% and 39.3% 3PT% shooting. Out of all forwards who played 25 minutes a game or more, there were only 11 who shot 39% from three or better last year. Coveted free agent Tobias Harris was one of those and Bobby Portis was another. While Bobby Portis doesn’t get to the line often—1.9 FTAs per game—he could be a budget Tobias Harris.

Bobby Portis is a restricted free agent so the Washington Wizards control his rights, BUT the Washington Wizards are projected to not be a playoff team next year and they just drafted Rui Hachimura who plays at that same position. There’s one more wrinkle to the whole equation, if the Washington Wizards brought back everyone to their team at their cap hold value their total payroll would be $171MM. The Washington Wizards DO NOT want to be a luxury tax paying team which means Bobby Portis’ contract will most likely not be matched.

Utah can pay Bobby Portis up to $4.8MM of their Mid Level Exception. If Utah wanted to pay anymore, they’d have to find ways to move salary which probably isn’t in their best interest for a free agent like Portis.

NBA Free Agency begins on June 30th at 4:00PM MT.