Multiple outlets confirmed Wednesday that Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis would be declining his $4.6 million option to become a free agent, but Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported at that time that "there is a good chance Portis and the Bucks will come to terms on an agreement in principle once the negotiating window reopens at 5 p.m. (local time) Thursday."
It turns out Owczarski was spot on.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Jamal Collier report that Portis is, in fact, returning to the Bucks on a new four-year, $49 million contract. Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, Portis' agent, gave the news directly to Wojnarowski.
Portis declined a $3.8 million player option with the Bucks last July but, per the ESPN piece, accepted a pay cut to rejoin the organization that won the 2021 NBA Finals. With Brook Lopez injured for much of the 2021-22 campaign, Portis started 59 of his 72 regular season games and averaged career highs of 14.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and 28.2 minutes. He also shot 47.9% from the field and 39.3% from three-point range.
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