More on Bobby Portis Free Agency
Steve Popper: Newsday has learned Knicks are waiving Elfrid Payton and Kenny Wooten and not picking up option on Bobby Portis. Also, no qualifying offer for Damyean Dotson, who is an unrestricted FA now. More decisions to come... The players who are waived today could be back - but on a lesser deal than what they were in line for.
The idea of taking a bad contract into cap space could be one of several avenues the Knicks are considering this offseason. Depending on what they decide to do with the contract options for Bobby Portis, Wayne Ellington, Taj Gibson and Reggie Bullock, New York could have more than $60 million in cap room in the offseason. The Knicks, who told teams recently they’d be open to taking on a bad contract, have not made decisions on any players with options yet.
Bobby Portis, who has a team option next season that opposing teams see as unlikely to be exercised, hit 36 percent of his three-point attempts (which matches his career average).
There was no way Portis could live up to that money. But the 25-year-old put together some massive games — including single-handedly beating his former club, the Bulls, with 28 points in 30 minutes in a contest MSG Network replayed Tuesday night. Portis, quarantining in his home state of Arkansas, made $15 million this season and a $15.7 million team option exists for next season. “At the time of the signing it was a little high, but they got an option,’’ one NBA personnel director told The Post. “So to get that they had to pay the premium, but I can’t imagine they can keep him.”
“Bobby was really terrific the last month heading into the shutdown,’’ his agent, Mark Bartelstein, told The Post. “He was getting comfortable with the guys he was playing with. He was trending toward a great finish to the season. “I think there was an adjustment period with a new team, the coaching change. There were a lot of things happening at the same time and that accounted for some rough spots.’’
The New York Knicks announced today that the team has signed five players: Wayne Ellington, Taj Gibson, Elfrid Payton, Bobby Portis and Julius Randle. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Wayne, Taj, Elfrid, Bobby and Julius to New York,” said Scott Perry, general manager, New York Knicks. “Collectively, we’re adding a mix of extremely talented and experienced multi-dimensional players who will improve our team as we continue building out a deep and versatile roster. These players are all tough-minded, motivated and ready to compete, and we’re excited to have them as part of the Knicks family.”
Fred Katz: Wizards have now officially rescinded Bobby Portis’ qualifying offer, per a source. He will sign with the Knicks as an unrestricted free agent July 6
Marc Berman: Bobby Portis is restricted free agent and Knicks are working things out with agent Mark Bartelstein and his new team, the Wizards. Was traded from Bulls to Wizards. RFA sign offer sheets that could be matched.
Marc Berman: Bobby Portis deal does not leave a max slot for Kawhi Leonard. Oh well.
Mike Vorkunov: The Knicks have come to an agreement with Bobby Portis on a 2-year, $31 million deal, his agent, Mark Bartelstein confirms. Portis is a restricted free agent, but seems Portis and Wizards are working on getting his qualifying offer rescinded.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Free agent Bobby Portis has agreed to a two-year, $31M deal with the Knicks, agent Mark Bartelstein tells ESPN.
Fred Katz: Bobby Portis is restricted. Wizards extended him the qualifying offer. So the Wizards will have the right to match. At that price, my educated guess is he’ll end up being a Knick.
Alex Kennedy: Bobby Portis has received significant interest from the Jazz, Knicks and Clippers, source confirms. Also, the Wizards have shown interest in re-signing him. Last season, he averaged 14.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.5 threes while shooting 44.4% from the field and 39.3% from three.
The Knicks also continue to have significant interest in young big men Julius Randle and Bobby Portis, per sources. Randle is an unrestricted free agent and Portis is restricted, so New York would need to offer him a contract of at least two seasons in length. The Knicks will have roughly $70 million in cap space in free agency. The specific numbers of the cap next season are expected to be released soon.
League sources confirmed to SNY that the Knicks are also considering making a significant short-term offer to DeMarcus Cousins. But some in the organization have said that going after younger players like Randle and Portis is a priority that's ahead of pursuing Cousins, who will be 29 at the beginning of next season.
Chase Hughes: The Wizards have extended a qualifying offer to Bobby Portis, meaning he will be a restricted free agent on June 30, @NBCSWashington has learned.
As an upcoming free agent, Portis has attracted attention from almost every team in the Eastern Conference as well as several Western Conference teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks, according to a person with knowledge of the interested teams.
Bobby Portis is expected to draw interest from the Lakers, Clippers, Jazz, Bucks, Magic and Knicks among others, NBC Sports Washington has learned.
Chase Hughes: Leonsis waiting until after free agency to name a long-term team president means that interim pres. Tommy Sheppard will make the call on their RFAs on June 30. That means Tomas Satoransky, Thomas Bryant and Bobby Portis.
Alex Kennedy: Bobby Portis told me he can imagine staying in CHI his whole career: "I love the city of Chicago. I'm a blue-collar player, it's a blue-collar city. Fans really support me. I just love being in Chicago, playing for the Bulls, throwing those 5 letters across my chest every night." pic.twitter.com/hFlj0MkQKW
KC Johnson: Bobby Portis even stronger on wanting to stay in Chicago: "I couldn’t see myself in any other jersey. Obviously, I got Bulls DNA. Me and the city have a love connection somewhere. I just enjoy playing for the Bulls."
KC Johnson: Mark Bartelstein spent hours at the Bulls' practice facility on Monday, trying to get a deal done in face-to-face negotiations with Bulls GM Gar Forman. "We had very positive talks," Bartelstein said. "These are hard extensions to get done."
