The LA Clippers will need to add a supporting cast around any superstars they sign this July, and according to rumors, Bobby Portis is a player of interest.
As important as signing a superstar free agent will be this summer for the LA Clippers, it’s arguably more important that they have an above-average supporting cast around them. That’s an area where the franchise excelled in last season, having led the league in bench points per game, in addition to surrounding their starters with solid role players like JaMychal Green and Garrett Temple. Unfortunately, not all of those players will be able to return — but rumor has it Bobby Portis might be someone the Clippers add this summer.
The rumor comes from NBC Sports Washington’s Chase Hughes, who wrote Wednesday night about the teams that will compete with the Washington Wizards to sign the 24-year-old Portis in free agency. The LA Clippers were listed among them, along with the Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic and New York Knicks.
Portis has been a productive stretch-four during his four years in the NBA, holding career averages of 10.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game on 45.8 percent shooting from the field and 36.1 percent shooting from three-point range. A member of both the Chicago Bulls and the Wizards this past season, he averaged a combined 14.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from deep.
Portis, who measures somewhere between 6’10” and 6’11”, could be a solid candidate to fill the hole that Green could create if he signs elsewhere this summer. An energized, floor-stretching big with a knack for rebounding, he would likely fit in nicely alongside Montrezl Harrell as well.
The only issue, as Hughes notes in his story, is Portis’ price tag. The forward reportedly wants to be paid in the ballpark of $16 million annually. And while he’s got plenty of upside, it’s hard to imagine a lot of teams feeling comfortable with handing Portis that much money — and I would have a very hard time believing the Clippers would do it.
If the Clippers were to add Portis, I would expect it to be very Harrell-ish in nature. That is, Trezz was on his way to making a significant jump and probably could have earned more money than he did based on his potential alone, but still only ended up signing a two-year, $12 million deal with the Clippers last summer. It felt like a steal at the time, and boy does it ever now.
When it comes to Portis, the Clippers likely wouldn’t be too bummed out if they miss on him. He probably isn’t worth overpaying right now, and even if his market deteriorates, there are other floor-stretchers that wouldn’t make as much of a dent in LA’s cap.
Portis should be a solid player in the league for years to come, but until his asking price comes down a bit, the LA Clippers should stay away. Interest only goes so far.