The offseason is over, but the Chicago Bulls still have an important decision to make. With the deadline days away, will the Bulls extend Bobby Portis?
The Chicago Bulls drafted Bobby Portis with the 22nd overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft. Bobby is now eligible for an extension off his rookie contact.
The deadline for both sides to come to an agreement is October 15th. If they don’t come to an agreement by October 15th, then Bobby will become a restricted free agent.
On media day, Bulls general manager Gar Forman was asked about Bobby Portis.
"“We value Bobby,” Forman said via Cody Westerlund of 670 The Score. “Obviously, we look at Bobby as a part of our core, and we think he’s continued to improve and get better each and every year. I think all of us up here love the energy he plays with, the work ethic he has, what he brings to the practice floor, what he brings to the game for us. That’s why we’ve been having conversations and will continue to do so up until the deadline.”"
Forman also said that he met with Bobby Portis’ agent several times.
In his first two seasons, Bobby was okay. He had his ups, but he also had some downs. It seemed like he never really knew his role on the team.
Last season was a different story. Bobby Portis played in 73 games and averaged a career best 13.2 points, and 6.8 rebounds per game. He shot 35.9% from the three point line which was also a career best. Bobby came off the bench and provided the team a spark.
My take on the whole Bobby Portis situation is that the Bulls need to reward Bobby with an extension now and not later.
Bobby is going for the Sixth Man of the Year Award. If the first two preseason games were any indications of what kind of season Bobby is going to have, then it would be the Bulls best interest to get a deal done now.
Bobby Portis is a reliable player that barely get’s injured. He’s a player that will do anything it takes to give him team a win. Every game Bobby will make a positive impact on offense and on defense.
The thing that I appreciate the most about Bobby Portis is that he wants to be the first player off the bench to provide his team energy. Not a lot of players would offer to come off the bench especially a player like Bobby who can easily be starter for at least 15 teams in the NBA.
Here are two big reasons why the Bulls need to sign Bobby Portis to an extension now.
1) I can guarantee you that Portis will have a big season and will demand more if he does become a restricted free agent. You might have to overpay him now, but that’s okay. He’s worth it.
2) If Bobby Portis becomes a restricted free agent, then there’s a big chance that another team will sign him to a deal. A lot of teams like Bobby, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see Bobby having offers from multiple teams.
October 15th is a big day for the Chicago Bulls and Bobby Portis.
If the Bulls don’t sign Portis to a contract extension before the deadline, then the chances of him playing with the Bulls next year drops significantly. It’s in the best interest for the Bulls to get this deal done now with Bobby Portis. Trust me, he’s worth it.