The Milwaukee Bucks made the decision to hire Taylor Jenkins as their new head coach. After Doc Rivers made the decision to leave, Jenkins is who they circled to take over. Jenkins last coached the Memphis Grizzlies last season.
Jenkins was an assistant in Milwaukee before he got the head coaching job with the Grizzlies. There was a report from Shams Charania that Giannis Antetokounmpo was not involved in the hiring process of Jenkins. Bobby Portis has some words about that.
While appearing on Run It Back, Portis quickly denied that report.
GettyMilwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis shoots the ball. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Bobby Portis Denies Bucks Didn’t Include Giannis Antetokounmpo in Coaching Decision
After Michele Beadle mentioned the report, Portis immediately shot it down.
“I don’t think it’s true, either.”
“I don’t think it’s true.”
👀😂
@BPortistime | @MichelleDBeadle | @ChandlerParsons | @TeamLou23Antetokounmpo has been the source of endless rumors over the past calendar year. It is widely expected that he will be traded this offseason, as several teams are expected to make big offers to Milwaukee for his services. Antetokounmpo has come just short of formally asking for a trade.
This season, the Bucks finished 11th in the Eastern Conference standings. Jenkins was brought in to keep the team together and competitive, although the roster looks like it is ready for a rebuild. Figuring out what to do with Myles Turner’s massive contract will be an issue, as well.
Milwaukee is going to head into the offseason with a lot of contracts still on the books. That includes the $22.5 million they are paying Damian Lillard to not be on the roster after they used the waive-and-stretch provision on him last offseason.
Portis is one of the players who is under contract next season, so he will be affected by the Jenkins decision, as well. He is one of the reliable pieces off the bench that the Bucks were able to count on this past season, though they didn’t have many of those.
GettyMilwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo looks to pass the ball. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Milwaukee Will Get a Ton of Offers For Giannis Antetokounmpo
Where Antetokounmpo ends up this summer will be the biggest piece of drama in the NBA this summer. Several teams will offer Milwaukee a bevy of picks and young players in order to land him. He is still one of the best players in the league, but it seems his time with Milwaukee has run its course.
The Bucks will only trade him if they get the proper value for him. Miami, Golden State, and Houston might go after him. The Knicks might also try to trade for him if they have an early exit in the playoffs. Milwaukee will have no shortage of offers to go through.
Milwaukee has to figure out the best way to pivot into a possible rebuild if they do unload Antetokounmpo. Using their first round pick this year can help with that, as well as getting some more draft capital in exchange for Antetokounmpo.
Bobby Portis Refutes Report on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bucks’ Coaching Decision